Xabi Alonso delivers blow to former sides Liverpool and Bayern Munich as he confirms he will STAY at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen beyond this season rather than replace Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel
Xabi Alonso confirms he will stay at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen beyond this season rather than replace Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel.
The former Reds midfielder, 42, had been strongly linked with Liverpool after being touted as a potential replacement for the German manager.
Alonso was said to be their primary target, with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi also in the running.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Alonso 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’.
Alonso’s decision to stay at Leverkusen leaves Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as the leading candidate to take over at Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso confirms he will stay at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen beyond this season rather than replace Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel
Amorim, 39, is expected to be given an interview with the Premier League giants after he scored well on Liverpool’s data tests.
Bayern Munich had also registered an recruiting Alonso, perhaps a tactic to unsettle Leverkusen’s title tilt this season.
However, Bayern Munich’s club president Uli Hoeness said it would be ‘probably impossible’ to bring the Spaniard to Munich this year.
Liverpool’s recruitment drive, led by new sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO of football Michael Edwards, now focuses on Amorim and De Zerbi, whose Brighton side visit Anfield on Sunday.
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.
It has been a historic season, with Leverkusen on course to lift their first Bundesliga title barring an almighty breakdown, and they have only conceded 18 goals in the process.
After cutting his teeth for three seasons with Real Sociedad B, he has re-energised the Rhine club and won 50 of his 75 games in charge, only losing 10.
Bayern are facing the prospect of their first season without winning a trophy since 2011-12 – following 11 consecutive title wins – and have thus deemed Tuchel surplus to requirements.
Liverpool’s attention now turns to Amorim and De Zerbi at the top of their shortlist, both candidates boasting considerable credentials.
Amorim has already led Sporting CP to one Portuguese league title and they are top of the table again this time around.
Meanwhile, De Zerbi guided Brighton to sixth in the Premier League last season and got them to the last 16 of the Europa League in their maiden continental venture.
The Seagulls will visit Anfield on Sunday.
More to follow…
