Xabi Alonso is a man in demand and his success at Bayer Leverkusen has meant constantly answering questions about his future.
Alonso has toppled Bayern Munich’s monopoly to secure Leverkusen’s first ever Bundesliga title in his first campaign with the club. His team are still unbeaten in 2023/24 – a remarkable achievement which has understandably attracted interest from other clubs.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are chief among those wondering whether Alonso might want to jump ship in the summer to replace Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel. The 42-year-old ex-midfielder is the hottest property on the managerial market – despite not officially being on the market.
Ever since Klopp announced his imminent departure from Liverpool in January, Alonso has been linked with becoming his replacement, alongside Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim. So, with the end of the season fast approaching, Mirror Football have taken a look at everything he’s said on his future this year to tell the whole story.
Klopp reaction – January 26
“I was surprised by Jurgen's news,” Alonso said in the immediate aftermath of Klopp’s bombshell announcement. “I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool. At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are in an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.
"Speculation is normal, but I have great respect and admiration for what Jurgen has done at Liverpool in the last nine years, and how he's done it. He has a connection with the fans, he's done a great job, but my focus is here at Bayer Leverkusen.
"I have great motivation to do a good job here, I'm very happy with the team, with the club, with everything, so that's my focus. My focus isn't on May, it's on tomorrow ahead of our game against Gladbach and helping my players to be ready. But what I will say is it was surprising what happened at Liverpool with Jurgen leaving."
Brushing off speculation – February 22
As the rumours intensified, Alonso found himself becoming irritated at the constant line of questioning. "Right now I am Bayer Leverkusen coach and that's certain," he said. "Regarding the future, I have nothing new to say."
Commitment to Leverkusen – March 29
Alonso made the biggest statement on his future at the end of last month, officially announcing that he would stay put. "It's been a season we have had a lot of speculation regarding my future," he said. "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.
"Last week I had a very good meeting when I informed them [Leverkusen's directors] of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen. For sure all the decisions you need to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, I try to take them in a natural way. At the moment this is the right place for me to develop as a coach, I am a young coach. Right now this is the right place. I have to thank the management.
"The club had been supportive and I feel respected by all departments. The fans, they have shown great support and they have reasons to believe and dream we will have a great season. I have a great staff to help me work day by day, and so for sure the players."
Doubling down – March 31
Alonso was asked follow-up questions a few days later. "I tried to respect everyone. I tried to take my own decisions, that they are the right ones and now I feel like this is the right one to keep in this club and keep improving and developing,” Alonso told Sky Sports.
“This is my first season as a coach in a pro team, this is the first season complete so I think I still have time to try things. At the moment it feels right to be here. I'm really happy. The club is great. The fans are great. The players are unbelievable, so many reasons."
Door open again – April 10
Asked about returning to the Premier League as a manager before facing West Ham in the Europa League, he said: “You never know – at the moment I have enough on my plate to think about, but I'm still young as a coach and for sure it's a nice one (thought). I speak regularly with some colleagues who coach in the Premier League and they know that each game is really tough to prepare and to play.
"It's a very exciting competition with so many great players, coaches, great clubs, stadiums – and West Ham is one of them. We are facing them tomorrow with great respect but with great excitement that we have a great chance to go through and keep going in a great season as well.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Where will Xabi Alonso end up? And who will replace Jurgen Klopp this summer? Comment below.
Clarification – April 11
After the West Ham game, he told TNT Sports: “There were many reasons [for deciding to stay at the club]. After one year, we're building a team, we're building a great spirit here. There were many reasons and so many players. The season has been great so far, and for sure we want to keep having this thing together.”
Hints of a U-turn – April 15
“When I feel that the team is behind me, the feeling that they want to believe, it’s much easier,” Alonso said. “That was my great enjoyment, that I had the feeling that the team was really committed, and once you have that it’s much easier. I don’t know what it will mean for the future, but at the moment it feels pretty great.”
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