Paul Merson fears the decision as current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso confirms to remain at his club for the next season as well
Xabi Alonso, 42, is on track to win his first Bundesliga title with Leverkusen. With only eight matches remaining, the league leaders are 10 points ahead and may still win the DFB-Pokal and Europa League after going unbeaten throughout the season.
Leverkusen’s form this season, as well as their rise up the Bundesliga table last season, have made Alonso a prized commodity. His old clubs, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, have made links, with both planning a change in the dugout at the end of the season.
Alonso confirms that he is staying at Leverkusen after talks with the club’s management convinced him that he was in the proper location to continue his development. Merson is concerned about the former Spain international, noting how rapidly things can change in the world of management.
The Spanish head coach then confirmed his decision on Friday, revealing that he had told the club’s board of his desire to stay put. Alonso told the reporters:
“I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and I informed them that I will stay and continue at the club, this is the place to be for me.”
“My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great… it’s all fantastic here. I’m still young coach but I think this is the best decision for my future. I took my time and I’m sure about that.”
Xabi Alonso may regret his decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen amid interest from Liverpool, according to former England star Paul Merson. Paul said:
“You’ve got to make hay while the sun shines in management, and you’re talking about two of the biggest jobs in world football, they might never come again.”
“I don’t see Bayer Leverkusen winning the league again next year, I think Bayern the juggernaut will continue where they’ve been the last 10 years. I’m shocked. I can understand he’s probably happy what he’s doing, he’s getting great accolades and rightly so, but these come along once in a blue moon.”
“I just hope he doesn’t regret this. I know what management’s like, everyone gets the sack in the end. They’re two of the biggest jobs in the world of football.”
Merson has concerns for Alonso that he missed a huge opportunity as two very huge and successful clubs were waiting for him and now he might not get such an opportunity again in the future when he would need it.
Liverpool will still need to make a new appointment, with Jurgen Klopp set to leave at the end of the season. With Alonso out of the running, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi are next in line for the running candidates.
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Liverpool are facing a difficult time with crucial games ahead of them to fulfil their dream of a treble and with the decision-making for the managerial role. It would be fascinating to see how the Reds would try to fill Klopp’s void now that the most favourite candidate is out of the race.
