Paul Merson sends Xabi Alonso stinging seven-word warning as Liverpool dealt setback
Paul Merson has warned Xabi Alonso that he may regret his decision to snub Liverpool. The former Reds midfielder was heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp in the dugout at Anfield before ruling out his departure from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Alonso has been enjoying an excellent campaign in Germany, leading Die Werkself to the top of the Bundesliga and, incredibly, they remain unbeaten after 26 games. Establishing a 10-point lead in the title race, the 42-year-old looks set to end Bayern Munich's 11-year reign.
Until this weekend, Alonso was widely regarded as the favourite to replace Klopp – ahead of the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim. Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon, the Spaniard committed his future to the German outfit after taking time to reflect over the international break.
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"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," said Alonso. "I had a very good meeting with the decision-makers, and I decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
"I feel this is the right place to develop as a coach. I have to feel it, and right now I feel this is the right place… my job is not over here," he added. "For sure all the decisions needed to be analysed well and I tried to take the right ones.
"I tried to take them that I feel they come in a natural way and at this moment I felt that this is the best place for me to be, for me to develop as a coach. I am a young coach but I have to feel it and right now I feel that this
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