Leverkusen optimistic of keeping Xabi Alonso amid Liverpool links, Sky reports

Xabi Alonso is being linked with a move to Liverpool, but Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly confident of keeping their successful coach beyond the end of the season.

After Jürgen Klopp announced on Friday that he will leave his position as Liverpool manager this summer, Xabi Alonso has been touted as a possible option to replace him.

However, according to Sky Germany, Leverkusen are optimistic about keeping their coach at the BayArena beyond the summer.

One of the reasons is apparently that the Spaniard is already involved in their squad planning for the 2024/25 season.

Xabi Alonso commented on reports linking him with Liverpool at a press conference on Friday, saying:

“At the moment, I am really happy here and enjoying my work here. I’m feeling each day and each game is a challenge and we are in an intense but beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I am trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing, and that’s my goal.

“What will come next, I don’t know.”

Sport Bild has previously reported that Xabi Alonso has an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen that he can leave the club if one of his former clubs Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich want him.

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has denied that there is a specific clause in the Spaniard’s contract, but has hinted at a gentleman’s agreement between the coach and the club.

“You don’t need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club. And at the end of the day, we’re not going to force someone to stay if he doesn’t want to stay. We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay and this is our objective,” Carro told Soccerex in November.

“There is nothing on paper. But sometimes agreements that are not on paper are agreements as well. We know if he needs to do a move in the future, we will be able to talk with each other. And I hope we will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy at Leverkusen.”

Xabi Alonso, 42, is under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026.

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