Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Wednesday, May 10, 2023
MUNICH – Xabi Alonso will remain Bayer Leverkusen coach beyond the season despite reported interest from European top clubs including Real Madrid, sports director Simon Rolfes believes.
Rolfes said before the team’s departure for Thursday’s Europa League first leg semi-final match at Roma that “there are always rumours” and that “we are very relaxed” on the issue.
“He has a contract, that’s why we are calm. And we are in a close exchange on how we can develop the team for the coming year,” Rolfes said.
Former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real player Alonso has been at the helm in Leverkusen since last autumn on a contract until 2024.
He led them out of the Bundesliga danger to sixth place and into the Europa League semis where he will face his former Real coach Jose Mourinho who is now in charge at Roma.
Rolfes said there have been no talks so far on extending Aklonso’s contract in order to concentrate on the final weeks of the season.
“First of all we want to complete the season and try to achieve the maximum. Then comes a long summer break during which you can tackle such issues,” Rolfes said.
Real, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are among clubs said to be interested in Alonso who won two Euros and the 2010 World Cup as a Spain player and the Champions League with Liverpool and Real. Leverkusen are his first senior team coaching job.
Leverkusen won the Europa League under its former name UEFA Cup in 1988. They last played a European final in 2002 when they lost the Champions League decider against Real.
