Xabi Alonso has committed his future to Real Sociedad to put an end to speculation of him becoming the next Borussia Mönchengladbach manager.
There had been reports earlier this week that the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder was on his way to the Bundesliga.
However, the 39-year-old has signed a new contract with Real Sociedad B to keep him at the club until June 2022.
2010 World Cup winner with Spain Alonso retired in 2017 and had been linked with the managerial job at Monchengladbach.
The Bundesliga club are on the lookout for a replacement for Marco Rose after he agreed to join Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season.
Alonso said "I want to continue growing with this project” and that he has "more goals and ambitions this season" and wants his players to challenge themselves.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT| @XabiAlonso renews until 2022 pic.twitter.com/vGU5ykZMAY
— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) March 26, 2021
Since his retirement four years ago, Alonso has coached at underage level with Real Madrid before he returned to Real Sociedad, the club where he began his playing career over two decades ago.
In his first season as manager of the B team, his side finished fifth but this season they are currently top of the Segunda Division B.
