Bayer Leverkusen manager Simon Rolfes has confirmed that Liverpool’s signing of Xabi Alonso will keep him at the club for the 2024/25 season.Liverpool fans have called for the hierarchy to roll out the red carpet for Alonso after Jurgen Klopp announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who was part of the 2004/05 Champions League winning side, has quickly become a leading contender for a place at Anfield after impressing since taking over from Leverkusen in October 2022. Alonso led Die Werkself to the Europa League semi-finals in his first season in charge, then followed that up with a sensational performance in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen, scoring 55 points in 21 games.
The Spanish side moved five points clear of perennial champions Bayern Munich with a 3-0 win over Thomas Tuchel’s men on Saturday, but whether he will continue to manage Leverkusen in 2024/25 and beyond is another question.Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has ruled out a move to Liverpool this summer.
Alonso Klopp is undoubtedly under pressure to take over as Liverpool manager after his bombshell performance and, despite saying he is happy in Germany, refused to completely close the door on a return to management at Anfield. Liverpool have already been linked with the 42-year-old, but his other two former clubs, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, could also be in the running if Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti leave.
However, Alonso is under contract with Leverkusen until the end of the 2025/26 season and Rolfes expressed his confidence in an interview with SPORT1 that he will remain at the BayArena this summer. Asked if he would like to retain Alonso’s services, Rolfes said: “Yes.” One of them is the contract horoscope. The other is the comfort he feels, his family, himself and what he knows about the club.”He also has a very good team.
Next year we will have very good prospects and there will be no changes in the team.” We will definitely have a better team next year. “It’s what coaches like Xavi like and of course it’s what allows players who are interested from other clubs to join us out of their contracts.”Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has ruled out a move to Liverpool this summer.
Rolfes also added about Alonso’s tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to pitch situations: “He surprises me sometimes. What he and we always say internally is that everyone has a role to play and we have a good team. Everyone has the qualities to play a good role. “It’s not just about Xavi turning 11, it’s about changing the system and putting other guys on the pitch.” “We’re not locked into a system based on the fact that we play football.
Alonso, who coached Real Madrid and Real Sociedad’s youth teams before moving to Germany, has now made 68 appearances for Leverkusen, recording 44 wins, 14 draws and 10 defeats in all competitions. The Liverpool board have been searching for Klopp’s successor since November after learning privately that the German will step down after nine years in charge.
Klopp’s achievements on Merseyside include winning United’s sixth European Cup and first Premier League title as he continues his unprecedented challenge for a top-four finish this season.
