Xabi Alonso has played down claims that he could join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, should the latter go on to get the Gunners job.
The former Liverpool midfielder had been suggested as a potential number two for Arteta, but that no longer appears to be the case.
As reported by football.london, Man City could also be another destination for Alonso, where he would be replacing Arteta himself as Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
The Spaniard is currently in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team as he takes his first steps into management.
He told Mundo Deportivo that he wouldn’t be going anywhere in the near future.
No. I’m here at ease, my head is only here. I have no other thoughts. No proposal has come to me and I am where I want to be. I’m very happy. After finishing my career as a player, being able to start another one and return to Donostia [San Sebastian], to my club, seeing how things are being done, is a pleasure.
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While it’s unclear if there were ever any truth in these suggestions, it would be a shame for Arsenal to miss out on Alonso.
He’s one of the great football minds of the last decade and like Arteta, is looking for his big break in management.
Alonso finds himself in a similar position, as he holds out for a future number one role somewhere, so it’s easy to see why he might be cautious about joining a club as an assistant at this stage of his career.
