'I want an opportunity like Xabi Alonso had!' - Real Madrid legend eyeing 'a big name' as he plots coaching return five years after he was sacked from second-tier club

It's been over five years since Guti last had a managerial job, but the iconic former Madrid midfield wizard has not given up on his dreams to manage a top club in the near future. After spending 15 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, Guti joined Besiktas in 2010 and then retired as a player in September 2012. While he gained coaching experience, he has been working as a commentator and pundit on Spanish television.

After announcing his retirement in 2012, Guti expressed his desire to become a sporting director or a coach. In 2013, he returned to Los Blancos to become a coach in the youth academy. During his five-year stint at La Fabrica, he took charge of the under-19s and managed them in the UEFA Youth League. In 2018, he announced his decision to leave Madrid and join Turkish side Besiktas as an assistant to then-head coach Senol Gunes. Almeria, in November 2019, then confirmed that the ex-midfielder would become their head coach in the second-tier of Spain. He was relieved of his duties in June 2020.

Speaking in an interview with EFE, Guti said: "I'm always excited to coach, but I like big challenges. A big challenge hasn't come up yet for me to coach, but I'm open to it. I like being a commentator, but I see myself on the bench, and I hope I get the opportunity, like Xabi Alonso had, to take on a big name."

Alonso will be hoping to get a win on Tuesday evening, as Real Madrid welcome Marseille in the Champions League opener at the Bernabeu. After four wins out of four in La Liga, Alonso will expect his players to come up with a professional performance to help him record a win on Champions League debut with Los Blancos.

Guti is not surprised to see him thrive as a head coach, as he knew it was in his destiny from their playing days. 

"No, he's the typical player you know will be coached later, also because of his position," he said. "On the pitch, he was a bit of a boss, the one who was always in contact with both the defense and the attackers. In the end, you know he's going to dedicate himself to that."