Liverpool Confident in Xabi Alonso’s Commitment to Leverkusen
Liverpool Football Club is confident that Xabi Alonso will remain at Bayer Leverkusen this summer, despite rumors linking him with a move elsewhere. The Reds are also considering other candidates to replace their current manager, Jurgen Klopp. Leverkusen, currently on the brink of their first Bundesliga title and unbeaten in all competitions this season, have been enjoying tremendous success under Alonso’s guidance.
Alonso’s potential move to Bayern Munich seems unlikely, according to Bayern’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness. Hoeness believes that Alonso is more inclined to stay at Leverkusen due to their current achievements. “He would not want to leave them behind,” Hoeness stated. This revelation comes as a relief to Liverpool fans who had feared losing their former player to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Xabi Alonso, an elegant and skillful midfielder, enjoyed a successful stint at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, making 210 appearances for the club. Following his time at Anfield, Alonso moved on to Real Madrid and then joined Bayern Munich, where he spent three years before retiring from playing. After hanging up his boots, Alonso ventured into coaching, starting with Real Madrid’s under-14s in 2018. He then had a three-year spell in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team.
In October 2022, Bayer Leverkusen handed Alonso his first role in first-team football. Taking over when the club was second-bottom in the league, Alonso managed to guide them to a respectable sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga. This season marks Alonso’s first full term in charge, and Leverkusen currently sit comfortably at the top of the table with a ten-point lead over reigning champions Bayern Munich, with only eight games remaining.
Not only have Leverkusen dominated domestically under Alonso’s leadership, but they have also made significant strides in cup competitions. The team has reached the semi-finals of the German Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League. These achievements have solidified Alonso’s position as a promising young manager, attracting attention from top clubs around Europe.
Although Liverpool would undoubtedly be interested in bringing Alonso back to Anfield, Hoeness believes it would be challenging to lure him away from Leverkusen at this stage. “Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there,” Hoeness suggested. Liverpool’s search for a new manager may lead them to consider other options, with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi being linked to the position.
Liverpool fans can rest assured that their club remains confident in Xabi Alonso’s commitment to Leverkusen. While the allure of managing a prestigious club like Liverpool may be tempting, Alonso appears content with the progress he is making at Leverkusen. With the team on the verge of Bundesliga glory, it seems unlikely that he will abandon his project anytime soon. Time will tell if Liverpool will have the opportunity to welcome their former star back to Merseyside, but for now, Alonso remains focused on achieving success with Bayer Leverkusen.