Xabi Alonso instantly rejects job at ‘too chaotic’ European club in major boost to Liverpool

Xabi Alonso has reportedly rejected a return to football management a little over a month after leaving Real Madrid.

The Spaniard was relieved of his duties in Spain following their Supercopa de Espana defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia last month.

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Alonso is adamant that he wants a break from management following a whirlwind six months in the Bernabeu dugout.

However, French side Marseille offered the Bundesliga winning coach a rapid return to the game following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure last week.

De Zerbi was on the cusp of a Velodrome exit following Marseille’s Champions League exit in the final round of league phase fixtures.

And his fate was sealed following a resounding 5-0 defeat to rivals PSG in Le Classique.

Marseille had hoped to bring in a big-name successor for De Zerbi but have been ‘immediately rejected’ by Alonso because the European powerhouse are ‘too chaotic’ according to French outlet RMC Sport.

Marseille Hokey Cokey

Shortly after De Zerbi left his role as Marseille boss, the French side’s Sporting Director, Mehdi Benatia, spectacularly quit his position.

“I am leaving with the feeling that I have done my utmost on a professional level, but with regret that I have not been able to calm the environment around the team,” Benatia said in a social media post at the weekend.

“Despite recent setbacks and some cruel sporting scenarios, the project is moving forward.

“But I cannot ignore the current climate. I feel a growing dissatisfaction, a rift that I deeply regret. In Marseille, results are the only judge.”

In a spectacular turn of events, however, Benatia has since agreed to return to the French side until the end of the season to “oversee all sporting activities”.

Monday, Tuesday, Habib Beye

Benatia’s return means that club President Pablo Longoria will move into a more institutional role.

And the Moroccan had hoped to lure former Bayern Munich teammate Alonso to the south of France.

Marseille, though, were rebuffed by the 44-year-old, with L’OM’s ongoing off-field issues cited as the reason behind Alonso’s decision to turn the French side down.

The Ligue 1 powerhouse instead turned their attention to former Newcastle defender Habib Beye, who was relieved of his duties as Rennes boss earlier this month.

Marseille rejection a boost for Liverpool

Alonso’s decision to reject Marseille comes as a boost for defending Premier League champions Liverpool.

While current head coach Arne Slot is under no immediate danger of being shown the Anfield exit, the Dutchman has endured a tough second season on Merseyside.

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Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut campaign in England.

Liverpool, though, are enduring a disappointing title defence and languish in sixth place, 16 points behind league leaders Arsenal, despite spending big to bring in the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz last summer.

And if Liverpool do opt to axe Slot, then Alonso would rank high on the club’s wishlist.