Xabi Alonso will remain manager of Bayer Leverkusen, the Spaniard has announced, ending speculation that he would join one of his former clubs Liverpool or Bayern Munich.

“Last week I had a meeting (with club officials) and informed them of the decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen … I feel this is the right place to be for me as a young coach,” Alonso told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

The Spaniard, 42, had been heavily linked to Liverpool and Bayern, both of whom will have a vacancy at the end of the season, while Real Madrid, who he also used to play for, are rumoured to have a longer term interest in the Basque. 

In January, Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp announced his decision to step down from his position at the end of the current campaign while Bayern said they were cutting short Thomas Tuchel’s stint despite a contract until 2025.

“It wouldn’t be correct for me to speak about other clubs in this situation. They are clubs I respect, I played there, I have strong links to them, but it’s not correct for me to speak about them right now,” Alonso added.

“It’s more about the conviction I have that I am in the right place, at Bayer Leverkusen, that I want to keep growing with the club and the players.”

Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022 when the club was mired in a relegation battle, eventually turning things around and leading them to a sixth-placed finish to qualify for the Europa League.

This season, he has guided Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga where they are 10 points clear of reigning champions Bayern with eight games left while they are also unbeaten in 38 matches in all competitions — a German record.