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 has confirmed he will remain at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen after this season, rather than switching allegiances to replace Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel.

The 42-year-old former Reds midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool after being touted as a potential replacement for their outgoing manager..

Alonso is said to be their main target, with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi also in the running.

Alonso said at Friday’s press conference: “There has been a lot of speculation about my future, we have been busy and focused and I wanted the international breakthrough to be reflected a little better.

“I had a very good conversation with the decision makers and I decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. I think this is the right place to develop as a coach. I have to feel it, and right now I feel like this is the right place… my work is not over here.”

He added: “All decisions certainly had to be properly analyzed and I tried to make the right ones. I tried to adopt them in such a way that I feel like they come naturally and at this moment I felt that this is the best place for me to be, where I can develop as a coach.

“I’m a young coach but I have to feel it and at the moment I feel like this is the right place and I have to thank the management, the club who really supported me.”

Alonso went on to explain how he felt appreciated on the German side. He told reporters: “I really feel respected by all departments.

‘I feel the fans who have shown great support in difficult moments this year and last year. We have every reason to believe and dream that we can have a great season, we really push for that.

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

‘The players. Certainly, the players, they give me so many reasons to continue to believe in the team because of the commitment, the desire and the hunger for a great season.”

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

“All things considered, I have made this important decision and I am convinced that it is the right one, I am happy. I’m still young, so time will tell, but right now that’s how I feel.”

Asked whether he felt there was room for improvement at Bayer Leverkusen – in terms of his own performance and that of his team – Alonso said: ‘It’s a process.

‘The development of the team runs parallel to my development as a manager. This is my first full season as a manager, so I think I still have a lot to prove and experience myself.

‘Right now I have a situation at the club where I feel very stable, very happy with the team and the club. The bottom line is that we can work together in many areas.

‘I also shared that with the management and the players. We are in a situation that we should enjoy. There are still two months to go, it will be very intense, but also very demanding, but hopefully also fun.’

Alonso went on to say how important it was for him to publicly announce his decision ahead of Leverkusen’s final eight Bundesliga matches. He felt that doubts about his future might have undermined his authority with the team.

Speaking about the run-up, Alonso said: ‘We have to do our best and for that it was good that the last week was my deadline and I had to make that decision. From now on, all cards are on the table and we are going full throttle for the big calls that await us. Let’s see how far we can reach, but our desire is clear.’

He continued: “I thought about the decision because you have to think through and know important decisions well. Once I made the decision, it was important to share it with everyone.

‘I have to give them back the respect they have shown me, I am also grateful to these people for believing in it. The fans, my staff, the players. So many people come with me and it is important that I give back to them what they have given me, that is a sign of respect, of appreciation. So far I have that feeling.’

Alonso’s decision to stay at Leverkusen leaves Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as the leading candidate to take over at Liverpool.

Amorim, 39, is expected to be given an interview with the Premier League giants after scoring well in Liverpool’s data tests.

Bayern Munich had also registered an improving Alonso, perhaps a tactic to disrupt Leverkusen’s title bid this season.

However, Bayern Munich club president Uli Hoeness said it would be ‘probably impossible’ to bring the Spaniard to Munich this year.

Liverpool’s recruitment campaign, led by new sporting director Richard Hughes and football chief executive Michael Edwards, will now focus 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 sent them into the top six.

This season they are ten points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, are unbeaten all season and are in the last eight of the Europa League for the second year in a row.

It has been an historic season, with Leverkusen on course to win their first Bundesliga title barring a major failure, conceding just eighteen goals in the process.

After cutting his teeth at Real Sociedad B for three seasons, he has revitalized the Rhine club, winning 50 of his 75 games, losing just 10 of them.

Bayern are faced with the prospect of their first season without winning a trophy since 2011/2012 – after 11 consecutive title wins – and therefore consider Tuchel redundant.

Liverpool’s attention now turns to Amorim and De Zerbi at the top of their shortlist, both candidates with significant credentials.

Amorim has already led Sporting CP to one Portuguese league title and this time they are back at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, De Zerbi guided Brighton to sixth place in the Premier League last season and took them to the last 16 of the Europa League in their first continental venture.

The Seagulls visit Anfield on Sunday.

More to follow…