Xabi Alonso, who was seen by many as Liverpool’s top target to replace Jurgen Klopp as their manager, said on Friday he is staying at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen next season.
“It’s been a season of speculation regarding my future,” he told a press conference.
“Up till now we have been busy and focused on the season and I wanted to reflect during the international break and take a decision.
“Last week I had a meeting when I informed (Leverkusen’s directors) of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen,” added Alonso.
Liverpool, in late January, had announced that their manager would step down at the end of the season.
In a short statement on X, the club revealed that the German communicated his decision to leave to the ownership.
Alonso had also immediately dismissed speculation he could replace Klopp at Liverpool.
The 42-year-old Spaniard has Leverkusen on course for a treble, including their first-ever German league crown.
Alonso said he was still developing as a coach and he felt Leverkusen, his first senior team coaching post, is the best place for him to carry on doing so.
“At the moment this is the right place for me to develop as a coach, I am a young coach,” he said.
“Right now this is the right place. I have to thank the management.
🚨🚨 BREAKING! Xabi Alonso: “I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and I informed them that I will STAY and continue at the club”.
“After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision”.
“This is the place to be for me”. ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/QM4fzyQp14
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 29, 2024