Bayer Leveruksen chief Simon Rolfes sends message to Liverpool over Xabi Alonso pursuit | JCM1Q1F | 2024-02-13 16:08:01
Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes says he's assured Xabi Alonso will nonetheless be the club's supervisor next season, despite intense hypothesis linking the Spaniard with Liverpool.
Alonso is understood to be at the prime of Liverpool's shortlist of potential replacements for Jurgen Klopp, with the 56-year-old German set to step down at Anfield after nine trophy-laden years within the summer.
As a participant, Alonso gained 4 trophies throughout a celebrated five-year spell on Merseyside, including the club's famous Champions League conquer AC Milan in 2005 – through which he scored an important penalty to drive additional time in Istanbul.
At present the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Klopp, Alonso has earned widespread reward the exceptional job he has accomplished at Leverkusen, who stay unbeaten within the Bundesliga this season and sit 5 factors clear at the prime of the table.
The aspect's comprehensive 3-Zero victory over title rivals and reigning champions, Bayern Munich, on Saturday have solely amplified calls from Liverpool supporters for the 42-year-old to take over the reins from Klopp on the end of the season.
Nevertheless, Alonso is tied right into a contract at BayArena till 2026 and Rolfes believes the ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern midfielder already has every little thing he wants at Leverkusen.
Asked whether or not he's assured Alonso that may still be at Leverkusen next season, Rolfes advised German outlet Sport1: 'Yes, I'm positive.
'As a result of one thing is the contract and what sort of contract he has however one other thing is how snug he feels here, how his family feels.
'He additionally is aware of what he has within the workforce, he knows he's obtained a very good group and that he's going to have a very good probability [to win trophies] subsequent season as properly.
'There gained't be massive modifications or players leaving next yr so we'll certainly have a prime staff obtainable to us.
'I feel these are all issues apart from the contract that hold coaches like Xabi and in addition players with us.'
In response to Rolfes, Alonso's 'courageness' and willingness to adapt to the state of affairs set the 2010 World Cup winner aside from lots of his peers in management.
'He surprises me once in a while,' Rolfes – the former Germany and Leverkusen midfielder – added.
'What we and he all the time say internally: Everybody has their position and we've an excellent squad.
'Everybody has the standard to play their part.
'Xabi has the courage to not solely commit to an 11, but in addition to say: I'll adapt the system and convey different guys onto the pitch.
'We aren't trapped within the system that's based mostly on how we play soccer.'
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Although Alonso is believed to be open to the prospect of managing Liverpool, he refused to be drawn into the hypothesis when quizzed on the current rumours final month.
'Speculation is normal but my focus is Bayer Leverkusen,' he advised advised reporters in the wake of Klopp's shock announcement.
'I am very completely happy right now with my gamers in Leverkusen. In fact, Jurgen Klopp's departure from Liverpool was an enormous shock. I have nice respect and admiration for what he did.'
Requested if he might rule out being Liverpool's next manager, Alonso replied: 'Truthfully, I don't have a direct reply. I'm pleased here proper now, that's for positive, and solely occupied with Leverkusen.'
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