Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will remain head coach of Bayer Leverkusen beyond the end of this season.
During his press conference on Friday, Alonso explained that Leverkusen was the “right place for me”.
Athleticism reported on Thursday that Liverpool had long known the Spaniard was unlikely to leave the Bundesliga club and pursue other managerial goals as they continued their search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Alonso was also considered Bayern Munich’s first choice to replace outgoing head coach Thomas Tuchel, but has now publicly committed his future to Leverkusen.
“My job is not here,” Alonso said. “Putting everything together, I made this important decision. I’m convinced it’s the right one.
“This is my first full season as a manager. I still have a lot to prove and experience. Right now I’m in a place where I feel really stable and happy.
Alonso is set to lead Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title in his first full season in charge, with the team 10 points clear of Bayern with eight matches remaining. The 42-year-old joined a struggling Leverkusen side in October 2022 and guided them to a sixth place finish and qualification for the Europa League.
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“At the moment it is the right place to develop myself as a coach, I am a young coach,” added Alonso. Right now, this is the right place. I have to thank the management. The club has given me their support and I feel respected by all departments.
“The fans have shown great support and they have reason to believe and dream that we will have a great season. I have a fantastic staff to help me work on a daily basis, and of course the players.
Klopp was asked about Alonso’s decision later on Friday, saying: “Being a young manager at a club that is doing very well, I went through a similar situation. I did pretty much the same thing if you want and I have never regretted it.
“He’s doing an incredible job there. Leverkusen have a good team and they will probably keep their team together. It’s possible this year. It’s not like this every year.
“I understand why he wants to do this (stay).”
Alonso had become the favorite for the Liverpool job after Klopp announced his departure at the end of the season after nine years at the Anfield club.
The former Real Madrid midfielder won the 2005 Champions League and the FA Cup the following campaign during a five-year spell on Merseyside.
He began his coaching career in 2018 with Real Madrid’s under-14s before taking charge of Real Sociedad’s B team in 2019.
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Additional reporting: Seb Stafford-Bloor, James Pearce
(Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)