Xabi Alonso insisted it was the right decision to stay at Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso has insisted it was the right decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen amid interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso had been heavily linked with the managerial position at Anfield following Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave at the end of the campaign.

The 42-year-old could also have taken the vacancy at Bayern Munich this summer, with Thomas Tuchel set to depart at the end of the season.

However, Alonso announced on Friday that he will be staying at Leverkusen, who are on track to win the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.

Richard Keys accused him of 'bottling it' but Alonso believes he still has 'time' to make a big move.

'I tried to respect everyone. I tried to take my own decisions, tired that they are the right ones and now i feel like this is the right one to keep in this club and keep improving and developing,' he said speaking to Sky Sports on Saturday.

This is my first season as a coach in a pro team, firsts season complete so i think I still have time to try things.

'At the moment it feels right to be here. I'm really happy. The club is great. The fans are great. The players are unbelievable, so many reasons.

After commencing his coaching career by taking charge of Real Sociedad's B team, Alonso stepped up to first-team management with Leverkusen in October 2022.

Last season Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga and they are now on track for the title having gone unbeaten in the league so far this season, winning 23 of their 27 matches.

They extended their lead at the top of the table to 13 points after a late comeback against Hoffenheim in a 2-1 win.

Leverkusen are also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they will face West Ham on April 11.