BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday it was “not the right moment for me to talk about” his future, with the in-demand coach linked to Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
Alonso’s Leverkusen sit eight points clear atop the Bundesliga table and are unbeaten in all competitions this season, his first full year at the club.
Asked if he would be in the dugout at Leverkusen next season, Alonso replied “right now, yes.”
The 42-year-old manager has been linked to upcoming vacancies at two of his former clubs, after Bayern’s announcement on Wednesday that Thomas Tuchel would leave season’s end, along with Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down in summer from Liverpool.
The Leverkusen boss opened Thursday’s press conference with a statement directed at journalists, saying “maybe you have a question or two about my future. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing new to say.”
“Right now I’m the coach here, that’s for sure. For the future I have nothing new to say, we’ll see.”
The coach, who took over Leverkusen in October 2022 with the club hovering near the relegation spots, said rumors of his departure in summer were “only hypothetical.”
Eight points ahead of second-placed Bayern with 12 games remaining, Alonso has Leverkusen on track for a first German top-flight title.
The coach, who won titles in Spain, Germany and England as a player, told reporters he and the squad were not feeling under pressure.
“I don’t feel it. We are very focused, that (pressure) is no problem.”
On Friday, Leverkusen host second-last Mainz and can go 11 points clear with a win. Bayern host RB Leipzig on Saturday.
’Not the right moment’ to discuss future, says Alonso
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’Not the right moment’ to discuss future, says Alonso
- Asked if he would be in the dugout at Leverkusen next season, Alonso replied “right now, yes”
- “Right now I’m the coach here, that’s for sure. For the future I have nothing new to say, we’ll see”
Griezmann’s free kick seals Atletico Madrid progress in Copa del Rey
- Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday
Antoine Griezmann’s sublime second-half free kick earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win at second-tier Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday, securing their spot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Coming off a frustrating start to 2026 with a disappointing 1-1 draw in LaLiga against Real Sociedad and a 2-1 loss in the Spanish Super Cup to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Diego Simeone fielded a near full-strength side at the Riazor Stadium, with only goalkeeper Jan Oblak rested among regular starters.
Midfielder Conor Gallagher, reportedly close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, and forward Giacomo Raspadori, linked with a move to Atalanta, were also absent from the squad that made the trip to Galicia.
Atletico dictated the early proceedings, with Julian Alvarez denied by La Coruna keeper German Parreno following a sharp effort, while Matteo Ruggeri struck the woodwork in the 15th minute.
La Coruna came close to an opener when Cristian Herrera’s close-range shot was superbly saved by Atletico’s back-up goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Griezmann grew into the game, narrowly missing the target with a fierce strike from distance that rattled the crossbar in the 40th minute before the decisive moment arrived in the 61st.
Awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Griezmann stepped up and delivered a left-footed effort that curled into the top corner, leaving keeper German Parreno with no chance.
Atletico maintained control for much of the second half, their defensive organization under Simeone proving impenetrable for a La Coruna side that has now won just once in their last seven outings across all competitions.
Despite dominating possession and creating further chances, Atletico struggled to add to their lead, with Griezmann’s strike proving the only goal of the match.
Atletico were the first team to advance to the quarter-finals, as Real Madrid will visit Albacete on Wednesday in Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as the club’s new manager following Xabi Alonso’s departure on Monday.
Last year’s champions Barcelona will play at Racing Club Santander on Thursday.
