LEVERKUSEN, Germany: Coach Xabi Alonso is concentrating on Bayer Leverkusen and has dismissed speculation linking him with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The 41-year-old Alonso has enjoyed a successful start to his first senior coaching job after turning Leverkusen’s fortunes around and he said Wednesday he’s not finished yet.
“I’m very happy with the team and the club. I’m not thinking at all about my future,” Alonso said before Thursday’s Europa League semifinal match against Roma.
“I’m fully focused on what I want, and I’ve spoken with everyone who needs to know.”
Asked if that meant he will be coaching Leverkusen next season, Alonso replied, “yes, that’s correct.”
Alonso, whose contract with Leverkusen runs to 2024, had been linked with taking over from Carlo Ancelotti at his former club Real Madrid or at Premier League club Tottenham.
Leverkusen were second from last in the Bundesliga when Alonso took over from the fired Gerardo Seoane last October. He has since led the team to seventh place with two rounds remaining, while a place in the Europa League final is still possible.
Leverkusen need to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Roma when they host the Italian team for the second leg on Thursday.
“The first game was very close. We can expect more tomorrow,” Alonso said. “The little details will be important. But I feel the energy from the team and if we give everything on the field, we can proud after the game.”
Xabi Alonso says he’s staying at Bayer Leverkusen, dismisses speculation
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Xabi Alonso says he’s staying at Bayer Leverkusen, dismisses speculation
- The 41-year-old Alonso has enjoyed a successful start to his first senior coaching job after turning Leverkusen’s fortunes around
- “I’m very happy with the team and the club. I’m not thinking at all about my future,” Alonso said
Neymar extends Santos deal through 2026, eyeing World Cup return
- The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight
- The former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain star, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall
SAO PAULO: Neymar has agreed to extend his contract with Santos until the end of 2026, the Brazilian club said on Tuesday, as he maintains hopes of a World Cup call-up despite recent injuries.
The 33-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.
“Santos is my place, I’m at home,” Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club’s social media. “It’s with you that I want to achieve the dreams that are still missing,” he added, referring to Santos’ fans.
Neymar, who has long struggled with injuries, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee last month.
The former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain star, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has not featured for the five-time World Cup winners since 2023. Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in October he must be fully fit to earn a recall.
Brazil will face Scotland, Morocco and Haiti in Group C of the World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico and the US.
