Alonso unsure of Leverkusen future amid links with Liverpool،
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says he is focused on the German side's Bundesliga title challenge after being linked with the Liverpool job following Jurgen Klopp's shock decision to resign from the post coach on Friday.
However, the 42-year-old refused to rule out the possibility of one day taking over at Liverpool, telling a press conference that “what's going to happen?” [in the future] I don't know.”
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Alonso is considered the favorite to replace Klopp due to the five years he spent at Anfield as a player between 2004 and 2009, a period which saw him win the FA Cup and Champions League.
Asked by ESPN's Archie Rhind-Tutt if he would consider the Liverpool job at the end of his Leverkusen contract, Alonso replied: “Well, first of all, yes, it is [Klopp’s decision to step down at the end of the season] was a surprise.
“But I also have huge respect for Jurgen, huge admiration before he came to Liverpool and over the course of this year it's been even bigger and it's grown what he's achieved and how he does it. 'did.
“And at the moment I am really happy here. I enjoy my work here. I feel that every day is a challenge. Every match is a challenge and we are on an intense and beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I am I try to do my best to help my players be ready for the next step and that is my goal. [in the future]I don't know.”
Alonso signed a new contract at Leverkusen this summer which will expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
“To be honest, I'm not at this moment to think about the next step, I'm thinking about where I am at the moment,” Alonso said.
“And I think I'm in a great place, I enjoy it and I think it's the right place. So that's all I can say… My place is what's right [happen] Saturday to be honest because that's what really matters and I'll be happy when we play well and we deserve to win. And what will happen in the future, I don't know and I don't care at the moment.”
Earlier on Friday, Klopp announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The German coach said he was “running out of energy” and cast doubt on his ability to ever succeed.
Alonso is considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and won 17 major honors during his tenure at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the Spain national team.
Alonso joined Liverpool in 2004 and won the Champions League in his first season. He scored in the infamous final in Istanbul, where Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties and win their fifth European Cup.
The 2010 World Cup winner, who formed an impressive partnership with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's central midfield, left Merseyside to join Real Madrid in a £30 million deal (38 .2 million dollars) in August 2009.
After managing the under-14s at Real Madrid and Real Sociedad B, Alonso was named head coach of Leverkusen in October 2022 and is inspiring the team to an unlikely title run in his first full season at the bar.
Leverkusen are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season and have opened a four-point gap over second-placed Bayern Munich.
