Xabi Alonso confirms decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen despite Liverpool interest

“Last week, I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes] and Fernando [Carro] when I informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen,” Xabi Alonso said at a press conference.

“For sure, all of the decisions you need to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, I try to take them in a natural way and at this moment I felt that this is the best place for me to be, for me to develop as a coach.

“I am a young coach but I have to feel it, right now I feel this is the right place.”

Alonso was rumoured to be a preferred candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. However, the Reds were aware that the Spaniard could well decide to stay at Leverkusen.

Now, the club will shift focus to alternative candidates, with Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi mentioned among them.