Xabi Alonso insists he will not be leaving Real Sociedad to take up a coaching role at either Arsenal or Manchester City.
The former midfielder has been linked with a coaching position at both clubs, with his friend Mikel Arteta thought to be nailed on to become the new Arsenal boss.
If Arteta was to leave Man City, reports claim Pep Guardiola would also be interested in appointing Alonso as his replacement.
But Alonso – who took over at Real Sociedad B in the summer – reiterated his desire to stay in Spain.
“No. I’m here at ease, my head is only here,” he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
“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.
“Things are going well. I’m just starting, I’m enjoying it and it’s serving me well. When the club and I decided to work here, everything made sense. Over time you reaffirm that it was a good decision.
“I have fitted in with the players since arriving and I am working to acquire knowledge, experiences, getting it right, making mistakes, correcting and then gradually finding the way.”
Alonso was linked with a coaching role at Arsenal when Arteta was first interviewed to replace Arsene Wenger in 2018, but he has remained in close contact with Arteta.
“I follow him very closely, because we have kept in touch forever,” Alonso told the Arsenal YouTube channel.
“When he moved from Everton to Arsenal, I wanted to know how it works there in Arsenal, and he’s enjoying it so far.”
Arteta also spoke of his admiration for Alonso: “I’m proud that he’s coming from the same city, and he’s taken that name as well when he’s been at Liverpool or Real Madrid or Bayern Munich because he’s been successful everywhere.
“The way he committed himself, the way he behaves, I think he’s a great example for every kid trying to be a footballer.”
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