Xabi Alonso has put an end to rumours that he would replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager this summer by confirming he will stay as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen for the upcoming campaign.
The Spaniard informed Bayern Munich, who were also interested in the 42-year-old, that he would stay at Leverkusen, where he has led them to the brink of the Bundesliga title this season, according to an earlier report from Sky Germany.
“It’s been a season where we’ve had a lot of speculation regarding my future, until now we’ve had so many games, we’ve been pretty busy and focused,” said Alonso in Friday’s press conference ahead of his side’s game with Hoffenheim on Saturday.
“I wanted to use that time in the international break and take a decision and last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, managing director], Fernando [Carro, CEO] and informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.
“For sure, all the decisions you have to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, and where they come in a natural way. This is the right way for me to develop as a coach. I am a young coach, but right now, I feel this is the right place.
“I feel really respected by all the departments, the fans show us great support this year but also during the difficult moments last year.
“I have a great staff who help me day by day to work better, improve and prepare the team – and for sure, the players give me so many reasons to keep on believing in the team.
“Their commitment, desire and hunger, for that I feel my job is not over here.
“Putting all those things together, this important decision I believe is the right one. I am still young and time will tell, but now I am happy.”
Many have suggested Alonso as a potential replacement for Klopp, who is set to leave Anfield at the end of the current campaign, even though it was already unlikely that the Reds would have their former midfield player on their shortlist.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Bayern was eager to name their former player to succeed Thomas Tuchel, who was leaving the team.
When questioned about the interest from Bayern and Liverpool, Alonso, however, remained silent.
“It wouldn’t be correct for me to speak about other clubs in this situation,” he added.
“[Liverpool and Bayern] are clubs I respect, I played there, I have strong links to them, but it’s not correct for me to speak about them right now.
It wouldn’t be correct for me to speak about other clubs in this situation. “[Liverpool and Bayern] are clubs I respect, I played there, I have strong links to them, but it’s not correct for me to speak about them right now.”
“It’s more about the conviction I have that I am in the right place, at Bayer Leverkusen, that I want to keep growing with the club and the players.
“I am at this stage of my young career as a coach, it’s too early to talk about these things.”
In his first full season in charge, Alonso has guided Leverkusen to the verge of their first Bundesliga championship.
After leading Real Sociedad’s B squad for three years, Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022, when the team was struggling in the Bundesliga.
He created a breakthrough that qualified them for the Europa League. Leverkusen, who are undefeated in all competitions in Alonso’s second season, are poised to break Bayern’s 11-year Bundesliga title dynasty.
Before selecting a new manager, Liverpool has started to reorganise its leadership. Former sporting director Michael Edwards has returned to his position as CEO of football at Fenway Sports Group.
Edwards then hired Richard Hughes from Bournemouth as his sporting director. Alonso’s agent, Andoni Iraola, was chosen as Cherries’ manager last summer with Hughes’ assistance.
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