Xabi Alonso to remain as Bayer Leverkusen manager despite Liverpool and Bayern Munich interest

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will remain as Bayer Leverkusen manager despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Alonso has been touted as a potential replacement for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp or Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, both of whom are leaving their respective clubs at the end of the season.

The former midfielder, who played for both clubs in question during an illustrious career, has impressed at the helm of Leverkusen.

His team are unbeaten in all competitions and sit 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as they edge closer to their first-ever top flight title.

"It's been a season we have had a lot of speculation regarding my future," Alonso said. "Until now we have had so many games, been pretty busy and focused, and I wanted to reflect during the international break and take a decision.

"Last week I had a very good meeting when I informed of them [Leverkusen's directors] of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen. For sure all the decisions you need to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, I try to take them in a natural way.

"At the moment this is the right place for me to develop as a coach, I am a young coach. Right now this is the right place."

Alonso added: "I have to thank the management. The club had been supportive and I feel respected by all departments.

"The fans they have shown great support and they have reasons to believe and dream we will have a great season. I have a great staff to help me work day by day, and so for sure the players."

Alonso played 210 times for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, before joining Real Madrid for a five-year stint. He then joined Bayern for three years before his retirement in 2017.

He took on the role with Leverkusen in October 2022, helping the team rise from second-from-bottom to sixth place.

Now, in Alonso's first full season in charge, Leverkusen are on the brink of winning their first Bundesliga title with eight matches remaining.

They are also in the semi-finals of the German Cup and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Klopp, who announced in January his decision to step down as Liverpool manager, admitted he understood Alonso's decision.

"One part I can speak about is a young manager where he is doing well," he explained. "Being at a club in a similar situation, I did pretty much the same and I never regretted it. That's pretty much everything I can say about it.

"He is doing an incredible job there. Leverkusen has a good team and they will probably keep the team together. That's a possibility and not all years it is like that. So I understand that he wants to do that."

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