Xabi Alonso ‘remains committed’ to becoming Liverpool manager despite recent rejection

Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, was tipped to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but he decided to exclude himself from the running.

Bayer Leverkusen manager and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso (Image: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Liverpool legend and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is apparently still eager to lead his former team, even though he recently turned down their approaches.

In management, Alonso has been establishing a stellar reputation for himself following an incredible season with the Bundesliga team. The former midfielder easily guided Leverkusen to the German league title, and his team is now just three games away from winning the ultimate undefeated season in addition to completing a treble.

Because of his performance, the 42-year-old was strongly linked to the Liverpool position when manager Jurgen Klopp declared he would be leaving at the end of the current season. But Alonso disqualified himself from consideration for both that position and the Bayern Munich position this time.

Abendzeitung reports that even though Alonso isn’t thought to be ready to return to Merseyside just yet, he is still determined to manage Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool before he ends his playing career. Those who have followed Alonso’s career path since he retired as a player will not be surprised by this revelation.

Alonso stated in a 2018 talkSPORT interview with Guillem Balague: “Yeah for sure, I have dreamt of that [managing Liverpool].” My link, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool are there, so why not? First, I have to prove myself and get ready, but if I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, then why not?

“We’ll try to cross each other’s paths. It seems natural to me that Stevie (Steven Gerrard) will arrive at Liverpool before me.”