Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen next season despite interest from Liverpool - insisting the German club is the right place for his development as a coach.
The Spaniard had emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp, who in January confirmed he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after nine years at the helm.
Alonso's Leverkusen are at the top of the Bundesliga table, ten points clear, and are on course to face Liverpool in the Europa League final in May. The 42-year-old has also been courted by Bayern who will replace Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.
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However, speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso ruled out the possibility of succeeding Klopp at Anfield, instead insisting that his focus remained with Leverkusen.
"It's been a season we have had a lot of speculation regarding my future," said Alonso. "Until now we have had so many games, been pretty busy and focused, and I wanted to reflect during the international break and take a decision.
"And last week, I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes] and Fernando [Carro] when I informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.
"For sure, all of the decisions you need to analyse well. I try to take the right ones, I try to take them 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, right now I feel this is the right place. I have to thank the management, the club has been really, really supportive
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