Liverpool, Bayern Munich suffer huge blow as Xabi Alonso confirms Bayer Leverkusen stay

Liverpool will have to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, with the club's inspirational leader set to stand down as manager, while Bayern are also searching for a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.

Both European powerhouses are believed to have identified Alonso as their leading target, while it had been suggested that Real Madrid were also keeping a close eye on the situation despite the fact that Carlo Ancelotti recently signed a new contract at Bernabeu.

On Thursday, various reports said that Alonso would not be leaving Leverkusen this summer, with the Spaniard wanting to continue to develop as a manager at the German club.

The 42-year-old, who has a contract with his current side until 2026, has now confirmed at a press conference that he will not be on the move at the end of the campaign.

«Last week I had a meeting [with club officials] and informed them of the decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen,» Alonso told reporters.

«After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. I feel this is the right place to be for me as a young coach. 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.

»All my cards on the table. I have thought about the decision because you need to reflect well. Once I took it I felt I needed to share it with everyone. It is a sign of respect. I informed the players at a team talk this morning. We have prepared in a normal way.

«You guys did a lot of speculation