Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will remain with the Bundesliga giants for the 2024-25 campaign, ending Liverpool and Bayern Munich's hopes of securing his services this summer.
Liverpool will have to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, with the club's inspirational leader set to stand down as manager, while Bayern are also searching for a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.
Both European powerhouses are believed to have identified Alonso as their leading target, while it had been suggested that Real Madrid were also keeping a close eye on the situation despite the fact that Carlo Ancelotti recently signed a new contract at Bernabeu.
On Thursday, various reports said that Alonso would not be leaving Leverkusen this summer, with the Spaniard wanting to continue to develop as a manager at the German club.
The 42-year-old, who has a contract with his current side until 2026, has now confirmed at a press conference that he will not be on the move at the end of the campaign.
"Last week I had a meeting [with club officials] and informed them of the decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen," Alonso told reporters.
"After a lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. I feel this is the right place to be for me as a young coach. My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great ... it's all fantastic here.
"All my cards on the table. I have thought about the decision because you need to reflect well. Once I took it I felt I needed to share it with everyone. It is a sign of respect. I informed the players at a team talk this morning. We have prepared in a normal way.
"You guys did a lot of speculation – even since last May! It's part of the business, and I haven't been stressed by it. It was important it wasn't affecting the team and the mentality of the team was good. Everything is clear."
What could Leverkusen win this season?
Alonso boasts an incredible record at Leverkusen, winning 50, drawing 15 and losing just 10 of his 75 matches since arriving as head coach in October 2022 after three years in charge of Real Sociedad B.
The ex-Spain international is bidding to lead the Black and Reds to three trophies this season, and the team are incredibly still unbeaten in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign.
Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga table, 10 points ahead of second-placed Bayern, while they will take on Fortuna Dusseldorf in the semi-finals of the German Cup on April 3.
Alonso is also looking to lead the club to European success, with West Ham United their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Leverkusen have never won the Bundesliga, finishing as runners-up on five occasions, while they have only ever lifted a European trophy once - the UEFA Cup back in 1987-88. body check tags ::
