Paul Merson has cautioned Xabi Alonso that he may regret his choice to turn down Liverpool. The former Reds midfielder was extensively linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the Liverpool dugout before ruling out a move to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Alonso has had a terrific season in Germany, leading Die Werkself to the top of the Bundesliga and, improbably, remaining unbeaten after 26 games. With a 10-point lead in the title race, the 42-year-old appears poised to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year dynasty.
Until last weekend, Alonso was widely considered the frontrunner to succeed Klopp, ahead of Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim. Speaking to media on Friday afternoon, the Spaniard confirmed his future with the German club after reflecting on the international break.
“There has been a lot of speculation around my future, we have been busy and focused and I wanted the international break to reflect a bit better,” added the Spaniard. “After a really positive meeting with the decision-makers, I chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
“I believe this is the appropriate place for me to advance my coaching career. I need to feel it, and right now I believe this is the ideal spot. “My job does not end here,” he added. “For sure, all of the judgments needed to be carefully considered, and I attempted to make the correct ones.
“I tried to take them as they came naturally, and at this point, I felt that this was the greatest place for me to be, to grow as a coach. I am a young coach, but I have to feel it, and right now I feel like this is the appropriate place, and I want to thank the management and the club for their support.”
Liverpool’s search for a new head coach has been hampered by the Leverkusen manager’s decision to withdraw from the one-horse race to succeed Klopp. Merson, speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, was taken aback by Alonso’s choice to turn down the Reds.
“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,” remarked the former Arsenal player. “They might never come back.
“I don’t see Bayer Leverkusen winning the league again next year; instead, I believe Bayern will continue to be the juggernaut they have been for the past decade. I am shocked. I think he’s probably delighted with what he’s doing; he’s receiving a lot of praise, which is understandable, but these things don’t happen every day.
“I just hope he doesn’t regret it. I understand how management works; everyone gets fired eventually. “They are two of the most important jobs in football.”
