01 April 2024 , 00:08
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Richard Keys has doubled down on his claim that Xabi Alonso has 'bottled' taking the Liverpool job.
On Friday, Alonso ruled himself out of contention to replace Jurgen Klopp, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season. Klopp announced his decision to depart in January, with Alonso quickly emerging as the frontrunner.
The Spaniard spent three years as a player at the Reds and has led Bayer Leverkusen to the verge of a remarkable Bundesliga title win this season. But he has now confirmed he will not be leaving the Bay Arena come the end of the season.
That decision to snub Liverpool drew fierce criticism from veteran broadcaster Keys on Saturday. And the beIN Sports presenter has once again hit out at the Leverkusen boss over his decision to stay.
"Never will there be a time again where those jobs will be available to him. He's got his choice. And never will there be a time where he's coveted to the degree as he is now, ever again," Keys said on Sunday.
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"Instead of taking one of those jobs, he's decided to stay at Bayer Leicester-kusen. They will never have a season like they've had. Where does he take them from here? I think he should have taken a job that's bigger than his, but he's decided to sit safe."
On Saturday, Keys launched his first fierce rant to lambast Alonso for his decision. The broadcaster insisted Alonso had made a huge mistake, claiming that the Leverkusen boss had his pick of a number of top jobs.
Alonso announced on Friday that he would be staying with Bayer Leverkusen next season (Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Im)"In my opinion that is a huge mistake. At no other time in history will jobs at Liverpool, Munich, Manchester United, maybe Real Madrid will be available again. Right now, he can have his pick," Keys said.
"At no other point in his career going forward will he be in this luxurious position again. I would question the size of his cojones. Right now his stock is as high as it will ever be and his opportunities are as broad and as great as they’ll ever be and I think he has bottled it.”
Alonso though is secure in his decision and insisted on Friday that Leverkusen is the right place to continue his career. He added that despite likely winning the title, his job is far from finished.
"I feel that this is the right place for me to develop as a coach. I have a good feeling as a young coach. I feel that my job is not over here. I want to help them, I want to help the team, I want to help the young players develop," Alonso said.
"And if I'm part of the process then I'm happy with that. "Once I had taken the decision it was important to share the decision with everyone because I need to give them back the respect they have shown me."
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