Richard Keys has berated Xabi Alonso for deciding to stay with Bayer Leverkusen, suggesting he doesn’t have the “cojones” to take a big job.
Alonso confirmed on Friday that he will remain with Leverkusen in the summer, spurning interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool, who are both looking for a new manager. The former midfielder had been made the bookies’ favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp, while Bayern were also interested in appointing him as Thomas Tuchel’s successor.
Leverkusen are 10 points clear of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga and on track to win their first ever league title. Alonso said he thinks the club remains “the right place for me to develop as a coach” and wants to reward Leverkusen for showing faith by giving him his first senior management position.
Keys claimed earlier in the week that Alonso had decided to join Liverpool, claiming some insider knowledge. Now, having been proven wrong, the beIN SPORTS presenter has used his platform to accuse the Spaniard of cowardice by staying in his place of comfort.
“Early parts of the week, I had conversations with a number of people who were convinced that Alonso was going to Liverpool. There was another group who got in touch to say he was staying, you might be wrong there. Don’t care – they’ll draw him out and that’s what I think we were hoping to do at some point," he said.
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“He announced yesterday, Alonso, that he’s staying. And 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. At no other point in his career going forward will he be in this luxurious position again. He might get Madrid at a different time – and now’s a great time to get Real Madrid.
“I would question the size of his cojones. They’re ‘Leicesterkusen’ because Bayer Leverkusen will never again have a season like this. Bayern Munich next season will make sure they have another decade of domination in German football and Leverkusen may pick up a cup here and there.
Xabi Alonso has decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of Xabi Alonso's decision? Comment below.
"So 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.” Andy Gray then asked “So you think Leverkusen are Leicester and he’s bottled the job?” to which Keys replied: “Absolutely.”
Alonso explained on Friday: “For sure all the decisions you need to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, I try to take them in a natural way. At the moment this is the right place for me to develop as a coach, I am a young coach. Right now this is the right place. I have to thank the management. The club has been supportive and I feel respected by all departments.”
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