Xabi Alonso announces decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another year

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has announced that he will continue at the club, effectively ending speculation over a move to Bayern Munich and Liverpool. 

The Spaniard was heavily linked with a move away this summer but has quelled those rumours by announcing that he will stay with Die Werkself.

“I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, and I informed them that I will stay and continue at the club,” Alonso said (via The Atheltic)

“After a lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. This is the place to be for me.”

Alonso was the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer following the announcement that the German manager will leave the club at the end of the season.

However, the Reds will have to move on quickly to other targets, with several clubs preparing for managerial changes ahead of next season.

Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim is now the top contender for the Liverpool job after scoring high on the club’s data-focused research led by Will Spearman.

The Portuguese manager has been dubbed the young Jose Mourinho, and even real one joked about their similarities as coaches.

Amorim has Sporting on course for their second title under his reign, and he has built his reputation as one of the best young tacticians around. But it will take a world-record compensation fee to snap him off the Primeira Liga table-toppers.

Apart from Amorim, the Reds also have eyes on Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian has received acclaim for his work with the Seagulls, and many believe he is ready for a bigger job.

He also has a £10 million release clause and plenty of suitors, with Bayern, Manchester United, and Chelsea interested in his signature.

It remains to be seen which manager sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO of football Michael Edwards will choose, but they have a big decision on their hands.