Xabi Alonso rejects return to management after approach from 'chaotic' club

Xabi Alonso has reportedly rejected a swift return to management because the interested club are "too chaotic".

Alonso was only recently given the boot at Real Madrid, failing to last the full season after taking the reins in May.

The former Bayer Leverkusen boss replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu but amid reports of the players not buying into his approach, his exit was announced by Real on 11 January - just a day after losing the Supercopa de Espana to Barcelona.

The club moved to replace him with another former player in Alvaro Arbeloa and Los Blancos now find themselves two points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Alonso, meanwhile, has been linked with multiple vacancies since his managerial stint back at Real came to an end.

According to a report from RMC Sport in France, via talkSPORT, Alonso was offered the opportunity to jump back in at Marseille.

Alonso was given the boot by Real without seeing out the full season. Image: Getty

Roberto De Zerbi left the French outfit by mutual consent earlier this month, having been eliminated from the Champions League without even reaching the play-offs.

A 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain proved to be the final straw and the Italian left as a result.

A vacancy emerged at Marseille and as per the report, Alonso was a contender.

However, the Spaniard "immediately rejected" Marseille because of the chaos going on at the club. In another bizarre development following Di Zerbi's departure, sporting director Mehdi Benatia quit before returning to the position until the end of the season.

With Alonso not interested and remaining out of work, Marseille appointed former player Habib Beye, who played 167 times for the club.

Beye was recently sacked by fellow Ligue One side Rennes after going four games without his win.

Habib Beye is the new Marseille manager. Image: Getty

Commenting on the appointment, the club said Beye's "deep attachment to Olympique de Marseille and his intimate knowledge of the environment in Marseille can be major assets in taking the club to the next step".

The Senegal international played in the Premier League for both Newcastle and Aston Villa, as well as representing Doncaster Rovers in the Championship.

He has signed a deal until 2027 and will take charge of his first game on Friday when Marseille travel to Brest.

Marseille are fourth in Ligue One, 12 points behind leaders RC Lens after 22 games.

Alonso continues to be tipped to for a return to Liverpool, though the club are understood to still have full support in manager Arne Slot despite a difficult second season.