Former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso will miss out on leading Bayer Leverkusen to a record unbeaten triple after losing to Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Xabi Alonso’s hopes of leading Bayer Leverkusen to an incredible unblemished treble this season are dashed. Unfortunately for him, he fell at the same hurdle that Liverpool did.
Atalanta became the first team to defeat Leverkusen this season, winning the Europa League final. A spectacular Ademola Lookman hat-trick proved to be the difference, ending Leverkusen’s hopes of making history this season.
The German side may still add the DFB-Pokal to its Bundesliga triumph on Saturday, capping up Alonso’s amazing first full season in charge. The former midfielder has surely won some admirers for his achievements.
Alonso was extensively connected with succeeding Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool earlier this year before announcing his decision to stay at Leverkusen for at least another season.
With Arne Slot officially confirmed as the Reds’ next head coach, Liverpool will hope not to be looking for a new manager for a while. When the time comes, however, Alonso may find himself back in the picture.
And the former midfielder has not dismissed the notion. Despite committing his future to Leverkusen, Alonso has not ruled out a move to the Premier League at some point.
“You never know, at the moment I have enough on my plate to think about,” he stated last month.
“But I’m still a young coach, and it’s definitely a good one (thought). I interact with some Premier League coaches on a regular basis, and they understand how difficult it is to prepare for and play each game.
Alonso is definitely an ambitious coach, and according to the German newspaper Abendzeitung, he has planned a long-term career path that includes Liverpool. The 42-year-old is rumored to aspire to coach Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid at some time in his managerial career.
Not only that, but he has previously stated that he hopes to return to Anfield in the future. In an interview with talkSPORT in 2018, he stated: “Yes, I have dreamed of that, but first I must show myself and prepare.
“If I decide to pursue a career as a manager at some point, my connection, devotion, and passion for Liverpool will remain. Why not? We’ll see if our paths intersect.
