Xabi Alonso will continue as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach next season as well. He had been rumored to Liverpool to replace Jürgen Klopp.
Xabi Alonso confirmed today that he will also continue next season as the head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. The successful coach was rumored to have been taken to at least Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Huhkaji’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky representing Leverkusen is having a great season under Alonso’s leadership. Leverkusen has not lost a single match all season and is strongly heading towards the German championship. In the German Cup it has progressed to the semi-finals and in the Europa League to the quarter-finals, so the treble is still possible.
Alonso said he told the club management about his decision last week.
– There has been a lot of speculation about my future. We’ve had a lot of games and been busy, so I wanted to make a decision during the international break. I am convinced that I made the right decision, Alonso said.
– The players have given me many reasons to believe in the team. They are hungry to succeed. My work here is not over.
Alonso, 42, was speculated above all to Liverpool, where Jurgen Klopp is retiring after this season. Alonso represented Liverpool in his playing career from 2004 to 2009. After that, he played in Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, which were also now linked to him.
Leverkusen is Alonso’s first coaching job at the top level. He started there in October 2022. The current season is his first full season with the club, and the aftermath has been wild.
Klopp understands Alonso’s decision
Klopp said he understood Alonso’s decision based on his own experiences. Klopp led Dortmund to two consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012.
– I was in a similar situation and I made a similar decision and I have never regretted it. He does an amazing job. Leverkusen has a good team and it will definitely stay together, Klopp said.
Liverpool now have to look for other options for their coach. At the moment, Sporting Lisbon are at the top of the rumor market Ruben Amorim and Brighton Roberto de Zerbi.