Xabi Alonso has attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League, but has insisted he won’t leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Alonso has been in charge of Leverkusen since October and has led them from second-bottom in the Bundesliga to as high as sixth, with Leverkusen currently seventh and in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Tottenham and Chelsea have been credited with an interest in the 41-year-old, but Alonso has stated he is “very happy” at Leverkusen and has no plans to leave. He has even gone as far as to say he will stay with Leverkusen until the end of his contract in 2024.
Given Alonso’s impressive start at Leverkusen, many supporters have suggested he could eventually take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Alonso has a strong affinity with the club and city, having spent five years at Anfield as a player, making 210 appearances. Liverpool are reportedly “well aware” of Alonso’s progress at Leverkusen and are watching with interest.
Alonso has taken a sensible approach to his career as a manager so far, having spurned interest from elsewhere while in charge of Real Sociedad B. He began as a coach in the Real Madrid academy before taking over the reserve side at his boyhood club in Sociedad, with Leverkusen his first senior job. Work is already underway to bolster his squad for next season, with Alex Grimaldo arriving as a free agent from Benfica and Granit Xhaka edging closer to a move from Arsenal.