Xabi Alonso: Bayer Leverkusen manager not expected to be on Liverpool shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp | Football News

Xabi Alonso is not expected to be on Liverpool’s shortlist this summer, with the Premier League side expecting him to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso was believed to be a strong target to replace Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

Bayern Munich were also keen to appoint their former player as a replacement for the departing Thomas Tuchel.

But the former Liverpool midfielder is now believed to be staying with Leverkusen, who he has led to the brink of their first Bundesliga title in his first full season as manager.

After three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022, with the side in the bottom half of the Bundesliga.

The 42-year-old engineered an improvement that led to Europa League qualification. In Alonso’s second season, Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions and set to end Bayern’s 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga title.

Bayern expect to miss out on Alonso

Bayern also believe Alonso will stay with Leverkusen, with Uli Hoeness, their honorary president, telling German broadcaster ARD: “I feel that it will be very difficult to sign Xabi Alonso, not to say probably impossible.

“I can certainly imagine him staying at Bayer Leverkusen to continue his job. [He] is more inclined to stay in view of their current successes because he would not want to leave them behind.

“Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there.”