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Chris DaviePublished Mar 20, 2024, 10:06am|Updated Mar 20, 2024, 10:07am
Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, insists the club are planning for another season with Xabi Alonso in charge despite his links with Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Alonso has guided Leverkusen to a 10-point lead over Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, while his side are in the semi final of the DFB Pokal and will play West Ham in the Europa League quarter final.
Liverpool have made Alonso one of their top targets to replace Jurgen Klopp, who is stepping down at the end of the season, but the Spaniard is also wanted by Bayern Munich, who are seeking a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.
But Leverkusen are adamant that they have been given no indication that Alonso will leave this summer.
‘He has a contract until 2026 and we are planning the next season with him at full speed,’ Carro told Marca.
‘Nothing makes us think that he will not continue with us.
‘On the coaching level, he is the number one in the world at the moment.’
Meanwhile, Leverkusen left-back, Alejandro Grimaldo, claims Alonso has ‘something special’ has a manager.
‘It is something that we have not considered yet. He will know what decision to make. It is clear that I would like to continue improving alongside him,’ Grimaldo said in a separate interview with Marca when asked about Alonso’s potential departure.
‘I had very good coaches throughout my career, both at Barcelona and at Benfica. But Xabi is something special.
‘There are not many coaches like him in the world of football.’
Borja Iglesias, who joined Leverkusen on loan from Real Betis in the January transfer window, also praised Alonso’s management style.
When asked what makes Alonso a special manager, Iglesias told Marca: ‘Many things.
‘I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity he has given me and for the trust he has given me from day one. I am participating and trying to put all my enthusiasm, my work and my talent at his disposal.
‘I have been surprised by many areas of Xabi as a coach – his ability to transmit, his empathy, his idea of the game, how he connects everyone… I can’t say anything bad about him.’
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