Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has left the door open to a move to the Premier League in future after explaining why he snubbed the chance to join Liverpool this summer.
The rise of Alonso’s Leverkusen, who are on the cusp of winning the Bundesliga title, saw the boss heavily linked with both Liverpool and Bayern Munich before he publicly confirmed he planned to stay with his current club for at least another 12 months.
While an immediate switch to England is off the table, Alonso refused to permanently close the door to managing in the Premier League.
“You never know,” Alonso teased. “At the moment I have enough on my plate to think about, but I’m still young as a coach and for sure it’s a nice [league].”
Having snubbed Liverpool and Bayern, who will both hire new managers this summer, Alonso’s future has now been tied to another former employer, Real Madrid, who may need a new boss next summer if Carlo Ancelotti departs.
Alonso went on to explain he felt too tied to the Leverkusen project to jump ship and take charge of Liverpool this summer.
“There were many reasons [for deciding to stay],” he said. “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.
“I felt part of it. After one year, it didn’t feel like the right timing, and that’s why I’m committed.”
