Xabi Alonso has shown that he will remain on Bayer Leverkusen’s list next season after reacting to the continued hypotheses about the void at Tottenham.
The former Liverpool midfielder had been connected to Spurs’ vacant training position over the past month after working wonders in Germany.
Alonso has been inspired by his first controlling role after guiding Leverkusen out of relegation in the Bundesliga and into the Europa League semi-finals since his appointment in October.
While Julian Nagelsmann is no longer a candidate for the Spurs task and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany signed a new contract earlier this month, Alonso remains a bookmaker favourite to upgrade Antonio Conte.
But speaking at a press conference ahead of Thursday’s final 4 Europa League talks with Roma, Alonso said: “I’m satisfied here with the team and the club.
“I’m worried about my future”
Asked via a Bild reporter if he would still be on Leverkusen’s list next season, Alonso replied: “That’s right. “
While Alonso’s comments appear to be concrete, at first glance much of what he said is “standard coaching speech” in terms of links to some other club.
There is confidence that Alonso will jump at the prospect of returning to the Premier League if he presents himself, and Tottenham’s task turns out to be sitting there waiting for him to need it.
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot also remains an option, seen as a more outdated option, despite bringing its side to the Eredivisie name this season.
Indeed, the Dutchman has come close to taking the step, if Spurs come to call.
As noted by Feyenoord Pings, former PSV midfielder Ibrahim Afellay said: “If [Tottenham come for him], you have to be a kid to refuse.
“I’d be surprised if he leaves then. Tottenham Hotspur is a big club, very different from Southampton or Aston Villa.
“At Feyenoord, Slot triumphed to the maximum [by winning the league], he came out more than in it. Do you expect him to triumph in the Champions League final next year?”
Tottenham return to action on Saturday when they host Brentford in the Premier League, to keep their slippery European hopes alive.
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