Liverpool icon Xabi Alonso will leave his position as Bayer Leverkusen manager at the end of the season
Xabi Alonso was linked with the Liverpool role before Arne Slot’s appointment.(Image: Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso previously claimed he hadn’t considered the vacant managerial position at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s exit. The former Spain midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Anfield in light of the shock announcement from the German last year but quickly distanced himself from becoming the successor.
However, on Friday (May 9) it was confirmed that the 43-year-old will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. He will bring the chapter down on his time in the Bundesliga after two-and-a-half years which saw them go from relegation-threatend to unbeaten champions during a double-winning season.
His impending exit coincides with the ongoing speculation with the Real Madrid position as Carlo Ancelotti faces an uncertain future in the Spanish capital.
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Alonso got a taste of being a manager at Anfield when his Leverkusen side travelled to Merseyside for their Champions League League Phase encounter.
He suffered a rare defeat as Leverkusen manager as Arne Slot’s side ran out 4-0 winners after Luis Diaz netted a hat-trick, while Cody Gakpo was also on the scoresheet.
Alonso discussed the managerial links prior to the showdown at Anfield and insisted that his focus was on achieving success at Leverkusen – as they were in pursuit of a famous treble.
“At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the Leverkusen players and we were really focused on that,” he said.
“I’ve seen a lot of different things Klopp implemented here but I have followed Slot too, I know his approach but it is combined with the intensity here at Liverpool, they have a nice mixture and that is why they are top of Premier League and Champions League.
“In all areas they are really strong, so the process works really well.
“The manager has done a fantastic job in three months. Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; they have so many options.
“We have our plan and we will see what happens tomorrow for 90 minutes, we want to be competitive. We’ll see.”
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After Klopp’s announcement in January, Alonso was keen to put any external noise aside and reiterate his position at Leverkusen.
He said: “I am convinced it is the right decision, I am happy. We have had a lot of speculation regarding my future.
“Until now we have had so many games, been pretty busy and focused, and I wanted to reflect during the international break and take a decision.
“The players gave me so many reasons to keep believing in the team – for their commitment, for their desire, for their hunger to have a great season. My job is not over here.”