Xabi Alonso believes he's building an impressive outfit at Bayer Leverkusen and wants to continue sampling that win feeling with them after choosing to turn down the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
The Spaniard is proving himself to be a shrewd coach despite only being in his first major job. He's taken the German outfit to the cusp of the Bundesliga title, while several of his former clubs have circled as they look for new managers come the summer.
Alonso would've had offers to jump ship and head to clubs with far more resource than Leverkusen, but he produced something of a surprise by sticking with the German side. The 42-year-old could still land a treble this term with the Bundesliga outfit yet to taste defeat.
He told TNT Sports on his reasons for sticking put: “There were many reasons [for deciding to start at the club]. After one year, we're building a team, we're building a great spirit here. There were many reasons and so many players. The season has been great so far, and for sure we want to keep having this thing together.”
It comes after he recently put the speculation to bed by confirming he'd be staying with Leverkusen: “I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, and I informed them that I will stay and continue at the club. After a lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. This is the place for me.”
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin NunezLiverpool have been eyeing up a replacement for Jurgen Klopp, who will leave when the season ends. Alonso was the early favourite to succeed the German but was then linked with a move to Bayern when it was announced that Thomas Tuchel would depart the Allianz Arena.
Alonso's outfit have come up with numerous late shows to avoid defeat and land three points this term. The Spaniard insists it is still too early to talk about landing three trophies despite them leading the Bundesliga, being in the final of the German Cup and preparing for the last eight of the Europa League.
"From pre-season, we took many right decisions, as we have seen," he said. "The team has come together really good and we have been able to progress, to create a mentality, to create a football style, and it's certainly not just good football, but it's very competitive as well.
"We have a good chance for sure in the Bundesliga, in Pokal as well in the cup, and in the Europa League. To win the treble, it's still too early for that, so let's not try to put so much pressure."
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