With a contract with Leverkusen through 2026, Alonso has led his team to an undefeated season and three championships, making him the talk of Europe and a rumored target for elite clubs.
There has been a lot of conjecture this season about my future. We've played a lot of games and been attentive and busy. I made better decisions and used the international break to think things through," Alonso told reporters.
"I spoke [with club officials] last week and told them that I had decided to stay on as coach of Bayer Leverkusen... I think that as a young coach, this is the ideal environment for me to be.
Since both of Bayern's and Liverpool's coaches are leaving at the end of the current campaign, Alonso had been connected to both positions.
Although Thomas Tuchel had a contract with Bayern that expired in 2025, the team announced in January that they were ending their relationship with him. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp also announced his decision to resign at the end of the current campaign.
It wouldn't be appropriate for me to discuss other clubs in this circumstance. Although I played there and have deep ties to these respectable teams, I shouldn't talk about them at this time, Alonso continued.
It's more about my belief that I am at Bayer Leverkusen in the proper location and that I want to continue developing with the club and the
players.”
Alonso's choice to remain at Leverkusen and advance the team struck Klopp as relatable.
"I followed suit and never looked back. At Leverkusen, Xabi is performing fantastically," the German manager remarked. This year, he'll most likely keep the team together; things don't always work out that way. I can see why he would want to do that.
When Alonso arrived at Leverkusen in October 2022, the team was in the throes of relegation. However, he soon turned things around, guiding them to a sixth-place finish, which allowed them to qualify for the Europa League and win an extension until 2026.
"We have to make the most of the circumstances we are in. There are two months left, and they will be extremely hard and demanding. We must give it our all, and it was wise of me to make the choice last week—that was unquestionably the deadline, Alonso continued.
The most crucial thing once I made my decision was to inform everyone and return the respect that the players, my staff, and the fans had shown me. During the squad meeting this morning, I told the players.
"We've made enough predictions about the future, so we won't be making any more. I just want to be happy where I am, and for now I'm content with Leverkusen.
Leverkusen had only two major championship victories.
