Jurgen Klopp admits he ‘understands’ Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen and not replace him at Liverpool – as he reveals he made a ‘similar’ choice earlier in his career

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he understands Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso had been strongly linked to his former club after his exploits in Germany, with the Spaniard touted to replace Klopp when he leaves in the summer. 

However, Alonso – who was also tipped to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich – announced on Friday that he plans to stay with Leverkusen for the foreseeable future, claiming he feels happy and valued at the club.

And Klopp, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s game with Brighton on Sunday, insisted he could relate to Alonso’s decision.

‘The one part I can speak about is being a young manager where he’s doing really well,’ he said.

‘I had a similar situation and did pretty much the same and never regretted it. That’s pretty much everything I can say. 

‘Xabi is doing an incredible job there. Leverkusen has a really good team and could keep the team together next season.

‘It doesn’t happen every year like that. I understand that he wants to do that.’

Alonso’s bombshell – which Mail Sport reported on Thursday – leaves Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as the leading candidate to replace Klopp, alongside Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi. 

Amorim, 39, is expected to be given an interview after he scored well on Liverpool’s data tests. 

Alonso, who was seen as Liverpool’s dream target, has overseen a revolution at Bayer Leverkusen since joining in October 2022.

When he signed up, they were in the relegation zone but he steered them into the top six.

This campaign, they are 10 points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, unbeaten all season, and into the last eight of the Europa League for a second year running. 

Speaking earlier on Friday about his decision, Alonso had said: ‘There has been a lot of speculation around my future, we have been busy and focused and I wanted the international break to reflect a bit better. 

‘I had a very good meeting with the decision makers, and I decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. I feel this is the right place to develop as a coach. I have to feel it, and right now I feel this is the right place… my job is not over here.’

He went on to add: ‘For sure all the decisions needed to be analysed well and I tried to take the right ones. I tried to take them that I feel they come in a natural way and at this moment I felt that this is the best place for me to be, for me to develop as a coach.

‘I am a young coach but I have to feel it and right now I feel that this is the right place and I have to thank the management, the club that has been really supportive.’

Alonso went on to speaking about how he felt valued at the German side. He told reporters: ‘I feel really respected by all the departments.

‘The fans that show great support during this year and last year in difficult moments, I feel that. We have all the reasons to believe and to dream that we can have a really great season, we are really pushing for that.

‘A great staff that helps me day by day to work better, to prepare and improve the team. 

‘The players. For sure the players, they give me so many reasons to keep believing in the team for the commitment, for the desire, fort he hunger to have a great season.’

Alonso finished by saying: ‘I want to help them, I want to help the team, I want to help the young players to develop and if I am part of a process I am happy with that. 

‘Putting all the things together, I have taken this important decision and I am convinced it is the right one, I am happy. I am still young so time will tell but right now I feel like that.’