Paul Merson hopes Xabi Alonso ‘doesn’t regret’ his decision not to take ‘two of the biggest jobs in world football’ as he admits ‘shock’ at turning down Liverpool and Bayern Munich

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is concerned that Xabi Alonso may live to regret his decision to turn down Liverpool and Bayern Munich. 

Alonso revealed on Friday that he had ruled himself out of contention for both jobs he has unfinished business at Bayer Leverkusen. 

The Spaniard is in the midst of a stunning campaign with Leverkusen, who are unbeaten all season and 10 points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

And Merson believes there is little more Alonso can achieve at Leverkusen if he does take them to their first title as expected.

‘You’ve got to make hay while the sun shines in management, and you’re talking about two of the biggest jobs in world football,’ Merson said on Sky Sports (via The Echo ). ‘They might never come again.

Paul Merson is worried that the Bayer Leverkusen boss may live to regret his decision 

‘I don’t see Bayer Leverkusen winning the league again next year, I think Bayern the juggernaut will continue where they’ve been the last 10 years. I’m shocked. I can understand he’s probably happy what he’s doing, he’s getting great accolades and rightly so, but these come along once in a blue moon.

‘I just hope he doesn’t regret this. I know what management’s like, everyone gets the sack in the end. They’re two of the biggest jobs in the world of football.’

Departing Reds boss Jurgen Klopp also commented on Alonso’s decision. 

‘Xabi is doing a great job there and it’s possible they can keep the team together,’ the former Borussia Dortmund boss said. ‘It’s not always like that. I understand he wants to do that.

‘Leverkusen are really impressive, it’s not like he has built from other years. He has created a mentality that is on the pitch and is really special. You can’t say for former players it might be too late or too early – I don’t know.’

Alonso’s decision to stay at Leverkusen leaves Sporting Lisbon manager Amorim as the leading candidate to take over at Liverpool.

Amorim, 39, is expected to be given an interview with the Premier League giants after he scored well on Liverpool’s data tests.