Xabi Alonso rejects Marseille job – and in doing so, he may have just ignited rumours of a possible return to Liverpool.
The former Real Madrid manager is said to have turned down an offer from Ligue 1 giants Marseille due to concerns about the instability at the French club.
As the pressure mounts on Arne Slot at Anfield, Alonso’s decision to wait patiently is already being seen as a shrewd move.
Xabi Alonso Rejects Marseille Job Over ‘Chaotic’ Club Structure
The big news is obvious: Xabi Alonso rejects Marseille job in what can only be described as an ‘immediate’ rejection of the offer. Marseille moved quickly on the heels of Roberto De Zerbi’s departure, hoping to secure a big-name replacement.
Instead, they got a resounding no – a decision that only fuels growing speculation about Xabi Alonso’s next job and the increasing Xabi Alonso Liverpool links.
Alonso, now 44, has been out of a job since his dismissal from Real Madrid in early January, marking the end of a chaotic seven months in charge at the Bernabéu. After a tough spell in Spain, the former midfield legend seems to be in no hurry to take on his next challenge.
According to reports, it was the internal chaos at Marseille – described as unstable and chaotic in French media – that ultimately led to the rejection of the offer. For a manager who had previously succeeded in a carefully planned three-year stint at Bayer Leverkusen, the instability was simply too much to handle.
Internal Chaos at Marseille Proves Too Much
Olympique de Marseille has been in a state of turmoil for weeks. The departure of Roberto De Zerbi, who left the club by mutual consent following a humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, has sent shockwaves throughout the club’s administrative ranks.
Sporting director Medhi Benatia, a former teammate of Alonso at Bayern Munich, announced his resignation shortly after De Zerbi’s departure, citing a lack of communication and discontent at the board level.
Club owner Frank McCourt rejected Benatia’s resignation, demoted president Pablo Longoria to an institutional role, and reinstated Benatia with increased sporting responsibilities.
These power struggles and role changes only served to further emphasise the instability. For Alonso, who had just left Real Madrid after a tumultuous experience, entering another unstable situation was not attractive.
Marseille have since appointed former Newcastle defender Habib Beye as head coach, acting quickly in the wake of Alonso’s rejection.
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Xabi Alonso Liverpool Links Grow Stronger
While Xabi Alonso rejects Marseille job, attention inevitably shifts to Merseyside.
At Liverpool FC, Arne Slot faces no immediate danger, but the situation is precarious. Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first year at the club, but his second year has been anything but convincing. The Reds are currently in sixth place in the league, 16 points behind leaders Arsenal, despite heavy summer spending.
Fans, seeking answers about the club’s future, have already begun to speculate. The hashtag Xabi Alonso rejects Marseille job is trending, and it is directly related to the growing uncertainty at Anfield, with Xabi Alonso Liverpool links continuing to intensify.
Alonso’s strong Liverpool ties, having spent five successful years at the club, only add to the intrigue and keep the Xabi Alonso Liverpool links firmly in the spotlight. If the club were to make a change at the managerial level, few names would carry as much weight with the fans.
The Importance of Stability in Alonso’s Next Move
It is worth noting that Alonso is said to be in no hurry. Having experienced the extreme pressure of being in charge of Real Madrid, Alonso is now thought to be valuing long-term planning over short-term gain.
Alonso’s success at Bayer Leverkusen was based on consistency, alignment with the sporting staff, and a well-defined project. The current situation at Marseille, with internal conflicts and sudden changes in the management, did not fit the bill.
On the other hand, Liverpool are a familiar setting, with a stable institution and a club identity that resonates with Alonso’s football ideology.
What Happens Next?
At the moment, Habib Beye is in charge in the south of France as Marseille tries to steady its season and qualify for the Champions League. Meanwhile, Alonso is still on the sidelines, but not out of the limelight.
The move, as ‘Xabi Alonso rejects Marseille job‘ floods headlines, may come to be remembered as a temporary pause rather than a rejection of ambition. If the managerial situation at Liverpool FC develops in the coming months, this could be important.
One thing is for sure: Alonso is waiting for the right project. And if that project is at Anfield, nobody would be surprised.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 11.01.2026
