Xabi Alonso announced that he will continue as coach of Bayer Leverkusen
, this Friday during a press conference, putting an end to rumors about his possible signing for several big clubs such as
Liverpool
or
Bayern Munich
.
"I wanted to use the international break to think a little better. Last week I had a meeting with Simon (Rolfes, sporting director) and Fernando (Carlo, president)
to tell them that my decision is to continue being the coach of Bayer Leverkusen
, "
said the Spanish coach of the Bundesliga leader, on the eve of hosting Hoffenheim on matchday 27.
Contrary to what he usually does, the 42-year-old spoke English in his introductory statement,
when he normally completes press conferences in German
, with a slight Spanish accent.
Xabi Alonso with Exequiel Palacios, one of his interlocutors on the playing field. (Reuter)
Alonso, who ended his playing career at Bayern Munich between 2014 and 2017,
has been leading Leverkusen since October 2022,
his first great experience on the bench after having gone through the youth ranks of Real Madrid (2018/19) and the reserve team of the Royal Society (2019/22).
"At the moment I think it is the good place for me to continue developing as a coach.
I am still a young coach and I think it is the right place
, "
explained the former midfielder, who signed a contract until 2024, then renewed in 2026.
Its renewal did not stop rumors from growing about its possible destiny. According to the media
, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern
were running
, the three big clubs for which he played between 2004 and 2017.
"We have to analyze all the possibilities and try to make good decisions, doing it in a natural way. We can have a great season and we are fighting for it
," he recalled.
Palacios and Xabi Alonso, after another victory for Bayer Leverkusen. (EFE)
This Friday's announcement will allow the club from the outskirts of Cologne to calmly approach the last two months of the most important season in its history,
with a Bundesliga title within reach
.
With nine games left in the season,
Leverkusen is ten points ahead of Bayern Munich
, Bundesliga champions since 2013.
Undefeated this season in 38 games
, counting all competitions, Leverkusen is also competing for the German Cup - they will play the semi-finals against Fortuna Düsseldorf - and the Europa League - quarter-finals against West Ham.
OFFICIAL:
Xabi Alonso has announced at the beginning of his press conference that he WILL STAY at Bayer Leverkusen next season.
According to what he says, he had a meeting with the board last week and then he informed them of his decision to continue as coach. pic.twitter.com/1PAU0rb5Rb
— Andrés Weiss (@andresweiss_) March 29, 2024
Founded in 1904 by the chemical company Bayer, the club has only won two titles in 120 years of existence: The UEFA Cup - predecessor of the Europa League - in 1988 and the German Cup in 1993.
This season he aspires to add three lines to his brief record after a journey in which runners-up abound (in the Bundesliga in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2011, in the Cup; 2002, 2009 and 2020, and even in the League of Champions, in 2002), which has earned him the nicknames
Neverkusen
or
Vizekusen
(second boy).