Xabi Alonso backed to ignore Liverpool interest and stay at Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso has been backed to ignore potential interest from the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich in order to stay at Bayer Leverkusen beyond 2023/24.

The 42-year-old emerged as the early frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager following the German's surprise decision to stand down at the end of the season.

A popular former player at Anfield, Alonso is also one of European's brightest young coaches, with his Leverkusen side unbeaten in 2023/24 and leading the Bundesliga by eight points after 22 games.

Widespread reports suggest Alonso is the favourite to take over from Klopp in the summer, while there have even been rumours that the Spaniard even has a clause in his contract that allows him to move to one of his former clubs.

Liverpool are not the only club being linked with the highly rated coach however. Bayern Munich, another of Alonso's former clubs, are reported to be interested as current boss Thomas Tuchel's future hangs in the balance.

Real Madrid and even Barcelona have also been named as potential next destinations for the former midfield playmaker.

However, Bayer Leverkusen legend and club insider Rudi Völler has insisted that Alonso will stay beyond the end of the season.

The 63-year-old, who most recently worked for the German club as sporting director between 2005 and 2022, told Bild: "I can't imagine him [Alonso] going anywhere else in summer at the moment.

"It could happen at some point that he goes to another club, but I can't imagine it this summer.

"I don't think there will be a big exodus. The majority will stay, you can always go one better next year.

"But first we need to focus on closing out this season."

As well as being a board member and a club ambassador, Voller is a known associate of Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro.

The former striker's words mirror those of current sporting director Simon Rolfes who has also played down suggestions Alonso could walk away from his role after this season concludes.

Speaking after the recent win over Bayern Munich, Rolfes said: "One [reason] is the contract. The other thing is how comfortable he feels, the family, himself and that he knows what he has in the club.

"He also has a very good team, we will have a very good perspective next year and there's no change in the team. We will definitely have a top team available next year. These are all points that - in addition to contracts - coaches like Xabi, but also players who [attract] interest, often stay with us."

Alonso's Leverkusen saw off FC Heidenheim on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga.

The win marked 32 games in all competitions in 2023/24 without defeat, equalling the record for an unbeaten start to a campaign set by Bayern Munich in 2019/20.

Should Leverkusen finish the season on top, it will be their first German league title in the club's 119-year history.