‎Why Alonso Turned Down Marseille Job and Eyes Liverpool

By: Shawn
‎Xabi Alonso has reportedly declined an offer to become Marseille's head coach, citing the French club’s “chaotic” environment as his main concern. After his brief and turbulent spell at Real Madrid, the former World Cup winner is seeking a more stable project, with Liverpool rumored as a possible next step amid pressure on Arne Slot.
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‎Xabi Alonso refuses Marseille job due to internal turmoil, keeping Liverpool as a potential future destination after Madrid exit.
‎Getty Images Sport 
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‎According to RMC Sport, Alonso, 44, immediately dismissed Marseille’s approach. The Ligue 1 club, in need of a replacement following Roberto De Zerbi’s sudden departure, moved swiftly to contact the former Madrid boss. However, Alonso’s priority is structural stability, something he felt Marseille could not provide, especially after a successful three-year coaching tenure at Bayer Leverkusen.
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‎Marseille’s internal turmoil has been widely reported this season. De Zerbi left by mutual consent after a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on February 8. Shortly after, sporting director Medhi Benatia, a former Bayern Munich teammate of Alonso, announced his resignation. In response, owner Frank McCourt rejected Benatia’s resignation and demoted club president Pablo Longoria, granting Benatia full control over sporting decisions until season’s end.
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‎Alonso reportedly viewed this shifting hierarchy and ongoing boardroom instability as major deterrents. After seeing his Madrid project collapse following a narrow 3-2 Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, he prioritizes environments where long-term coaching plans can flourish.
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‎With Alonso out of the picture, Marseille appointed former Newcastle defender Habib Beye, just a week after his Rennes departure, to maintain squad competitiveness under Benatia’s direction. Meanwhile, Liverpool remains a potential landing spot for Alonso, whose preference for organizational stability aligns with the Anfield project. The Reds face key Premier League fixtures as they aim to close the gap on the top four and secure European qualification.

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