NEWS. . . BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro insists the club is making plans for another season with Xabi Alonso at the helm despite his links with Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Alonso guided Leverkusen to a 10-point lead over Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, while his side are in the DFB Pokal semi-finals and will face West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Liverpool have made Alonso one of their main targets to update Jurgen Klopp, who will step down at the end of the season, but the Spaniard is also wanted by Bayern Munich, who are looking for an update for Thomas Tuchel.
But Leverkusen insist they have received some hint of Alonso’s departure this summer.
“He has a contract until 2026 and we are making plans for next season with him at full speed,” Carro told Marca.
“There are things that recommend that he continue with us.
“In terms of coaching, he’s been number one in the world lately. “
Meanwhile, Leverkusen left-back Alejandro Grimaldo says Alonso has “something special” with a coach.
“It’s something we haven’t thought about yet. He will know what resolution to make. It’s clear that I would like to stay with him,” Grimaldo said in a separate interview with Marca, when asked about Alonso’s possible departure.
“I’ve had very intelligent coaches throughout my career, both at Barcelona and Benfica, but there’s nothing special about Xabi.
“There are a lot of 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 controlling style.
When asked what makes Alonso a coach, Iglesias told Marca: “A lot of things.
“I am very satisfied and grateful for the opportunity he has given me and for accepting as faithful what he has placed in me from day one. I participate and try to put all my enthusiasm, my painting and my skill at their disposal.
“I’m surprised by many facets of Xabi as a coach: his ability to transmit, his empathy, his concept of play, his way of connecting everyone. . . I can’t say anything bad about him. “
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