Xabi Alonso exclusive: Bayer Leverkusen boss on 'many reasons' for deciding to stay with Bundesliga club

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has exclusively told TNT Sports that there were "many reasons" for deciding to stay with the club.

The Spaniard had been linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss, but committed his future to Die Werkself last month.

He only took charge at the BayArena in late-2022, and his first full season in charge has proved a successful one - with his side still unbeaten across all competitions.

It was thought the lure of a return to Anfield, where he spent five years as a player, would prove too much.

But Alonso insists he wants to leave a legacy in Germany, as he told TNT Sport: "There were many reasons [for deciding to start at the club].

"After one year, we're building a team, we're building a great spirit here.

"There were many reasons and so many players. The season has been great so far, and for sure we want to keep having this thing together.

"I felt part of it. After one year, it didn't feel like the right timing, and that's why I'm committed."

Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in late-2022, and his first full season at the helm looks set to deliver almost unprecedented success.

The club have toppled Bayern Munich from their perch at the top of the Bundesliga, with their head coach Thomas Tuchel already conceding defeat in the title race.

On top of that, they are into the final of DFB-Pokal and through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League, where they will face West Ham United.

Ahead of taking on David Moyes' side, Alonso says his players have a never-say-die attitude that means they refuse to give up.

"We know that we are beatable, but we fight not to be beaten," he continued. "For sure, the team has shown a great character.

"In tough situations, we have been able to deal with tough moments to win football games and with a great mentality to believe that we could make it to the last minute.

"It wasn't easy, but it's down to our football, to our ideas, to our style to not put long balls in difficult situations, in an emergency, that we lose control.

"We want to understand why we do things, why do things happen. They do understand, the players.

"It's down to the players to decide what happens on the pitch, [we] try to help them to make the right ones."

The turnaround at Leverkusen has been truly remarkable, when considering they have not won a trophy of any form since 1993-94.

During the intervening years, they have come second in the Bundesliga on five occasions, while losing three DFB-Pokal finals and finishing as runners-up in the 2001-02 UEFA Champions League.

As such, they were nicknamed 'Neverkusen', a tag Alonso's team have well and truly shed.

"The goal was not to over-think or try to over-estimate us," he added. "It was to try and do a good job and try and put a good team together from the beginning.

"From pre-season, we took many right decisions, as we have seen. The team has come together really good and we have been able to progress, to create a mentality, to create a football style, and it's certainly not just good football, but it's very competitive as well.

"We have a good chance for sure in the Bundesliga, in Pokal as well in the cup, and in the Europa League. To win the treble, it's still too early for that, so let's not try to put so much pressure.

"Tomorrow, we are having a great tie against West Ham. A top team. Champions of the Conference League. Great experience in Europe. Top players, top manager. It's going to be a nice one. Let's hope that it turns in our way."

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