Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will remain as Bayer Leverkusen head coach next season, ending speculation he could succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager this summer.

Sky Germany had earlier reported that the Spaniard had told Bayern Munich, who were also interested in the 42-year-old, that he will be remaining at Leverkusen, who he has guided to the verge of winning this season's Bundesliga.

"It's been a season where we've had a lot of speculation regarding my future, until now we've had so many games, we've been pretty busy and focused," said Alonso in Friday's press conference ahead of his side's game with Hoffenheim on Saturday.

"I wanted to use that time in the international break and take a decision and last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, managing director], Fernando [Carro, CEO] and informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

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"For sure, all the decisions you have to analyse well.

Alonso had been touted by many as a replacement for Klopp, who is leaving Anfield at the end of the season, though the Reds were already not expected to include their former midfielder on their shortlist of possible successors.

Bayern, meanwhile, were also understood to be keen to appoint their former player as a replacement for the departing Thomas Tuchel.

Alonso, though, was tight-lipped when asked about Liverpool and Bayern's interest.

"It wouldn't be correct for me to speak about other clubs in this situation," he added.

"[Liverpool and Bayern] are clubs I respect, I played there, I have strong links to them, but it's not correct for me to speak about them right now.

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"[Liverpool and Bayern] are clubs I respect, I played there, I have strong links to them, but it's not correct for me to speak about them right now."Xabi Alonso.

"It's more about the conviction I have that I am in the right place, at Bayer Leverkusen, that I want to keep growing with the club and the players.

"I am at this stage of my young career as a coach, it's too early to talk about these things."

Alonso has led Leverkusen to the brink of their first Bundesliga title in his first full season as manager.

After three years in charge of Real Sociedad's B team, Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022, with the side in the bottom half of the Bundesliga.

He engineered an improvement that led to Europa League qualification.

As much as Leverkusen are happy with this news, so are Real.

"Now there's no guarantees in football and he could suffer a dip next season but essentially, he's backing himself, his ability, his work.

"Another point to make is that Liverpool will digest this development differently from Bayern because they've been very private and respectful over the process of Klopp's successor, whereas the German giants were very public and chest-out about Alonso joining them?

Alonso is effectively saying he believes Leverkusen can oust them again next season."

Will Bayern target De Zerbi?

In an exclusive interview with Sky Germany, Max Eberl, Bayern's sporting director, said the club are "getting to know a lot of exciting people" as they continue their search for Tuchel's replacement.

"The search for a coach is ongoing," said Eberl?