‘Not Conducive’—Xabi Alonso Rejects Managerial Return at European Giant

Xabi Alonso has turned down the chance to step back into management this season, rebuffing an approach from Marseille as the Ligue 1 club scrambles to steady a listing ship, according to French outlet RMC Sport.

The 43-year-old Spaniard, dismissed by Real Madrid in January after only seven months at the helm, had been sounded out by OM chiefs following the sacking of Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton boss exited after a record 5-0 Le Classique loss to Paris Saint-Germain and an early Champions League exit, leaving the club in turmoil and without a sporting director after Mehdi Benatia briefly resigned—only to reverse course after talks with owner Frank McCourt.

Sources close to Alonso say the pervasive instability at the Stade Vélodrome was “not conducive” to an immediate return, prompting the ex-Bayer Leverkusen coach to keep his powder dry until the summer. Marseille, currently fourth and five points behind Lyon in the race for third, have since appointed former player Habib Beye to salvage Champions League qualification.

Alonso, whose reputation remains intact despite the swift Bernabéu departure, is expected to field more enticing offers once the 2025-26 campaign concludes. Manchester City and Liverpool are monitoring developments around Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot respectively, while Bayern Munich could rekindle interest if Vincent Kompany’s project stalls.

For now, Alonso is content to wait, leaving Marseille to navigate the season’s final stretch without him.