Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will remain Bayer Leverkusen's manager despite interest from Liverpool.

The Spaniard had emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp, who in January confirmed he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after nine years at the helm.

Alonso's Leverkusen are at the top of the Bundesliga table, ten points clear of Bayern Munich, and are on course to face Liverpool in the Europa League final in May.



The 42-year-old has also been courted by Bayern who will replace Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.

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However, speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso ruled out the possibility of succeeding Klopp at Anfield, instead insisting that his focus remained with Leverkusen.

He said: "It's been a season where there has been a lot of speculation regarding my future.

Last week, I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes], when I informed him of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen."

Liverpool's hunt for Klopp's replacement will be headed by Michael Edwards, who was recently appointed as Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football, and the club's new sporting director Richard Hughes.

The Reds' attention could now turn to Sporting CP's 39-year-old Ruben Amorim, who ended the club's 22-year wait for a title after joining from Braga in 2020.