Xabi Alonso to stop Liverpool, Chelsea making top signings as Fabrizio Romano reacts to Leverkusen d
Fabrizio Romano has reacted to the news that Xabi Alonso will be remaining at Bayer Leverkusen this summer, while also explaining how the manager could disrupt the transfer plans of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Alonso has been heavily linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich in recent months, with both clubs on the hunt for a new manager. Jurgen Klopp has decided to end his glorious spell at Anfield at the end of the season, while Bayern and Thomas Tuchel have mutually agreed to part ways in the summer.
Both Liverpool and Bayern have earmarked Alonso as a fantastic solution as he has made Leverkusen favourites for the Bundesliga title, while they could win the Europa League and German Cup as well.
However, it emerged on Thursday that Alonso was ready to reject any offers and stay at Leverkusen, with that decision then being communicated on Friday.
While the Spaniard admits he has ‘strong links’ with Liverpool and Bayern, he insists his job at Leverkusen ‘is not over’. Alonso added that he gave himself a deadline of this week to make a firm decision, out of ‘respect’ for his current club.
Several top players have previously been tipped to follow Alonso out of Leverkusen, such as Liverpool and Manchester City target Florian Wirtz and Chelsea-linked striker Victor Boniface. Newcastle United are considering a move for left wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo, too.
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But Romano has now suggested Alonso will frustrate those Premier League clubs by urging his best players to stay put for at least another season.
“Xabi Alonso will lead Bayer Leverkusen into the Champions League next season, but probably an important point to touch upon is his team because he wants many top players to stay at the club; Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, Alejandro Grimaldo and others,” the journalist said in his latest column for the Daily Briefing.
Leverkusen to ‘support’ Xabi Alonso with big summer
“It’s also important to say that Leverkusen will sign players in the summer to support Xabi Alonso, so everything is being prepared in the sense.
“Xabi believes that this team still has a lot to improve and develop. He’s been very clear on this because he believes that with some good signings, Bayer can compete to win titles again next season.
“In my opinion it was not too early for him to move on, he’s an excellent coach and ready for any club; but I understand his decision.”
While Alonso will not be leaving the BayArena this year, Romano insists that he could still join one of Europe’s most illustrious clubs in 2025.
“A crucial point too is that his release clause is valid in 2025. It was never active this summer, but it will be in summer 2025 and many clubs are aware of that,” he added.
Liverpool and Man City would both love to sign Wirtz, as the playmaker has been excellent this term and chipped in with 28 goal contributions. Chelsea signing Boniface, meanwhile, would help to solve their striker issues.
But it is clear that Alonso remaining at Leverkusen will seriously reduce the chances of those players arriving in England this summer. The Leverkusen squad looks up to Alonso and believes he can guide them to plenty of silverware.
READ MORE: Stunning XI Chelsea could field next season if Pochettino gets his way and classy quartet all sign
Newcastle points deduction? Ex-CEO reveals Howe’s side are ‘right on edge of FFP’ breach
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has revealed that Premier League club Newcastle United “are right on the edge of the FFP regulations”.
Newcastle were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021 and have spent around £370million on new players since then.
Newcastle expulsion?!
They have not been able to splash the cash as much as they would have liked due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
However, despite a relatively conservative approach in the transfer market, the Magpies are still walking a financial tightrope, according to Wyness.
There has been a lot of talk about Manchester City and Chelsea being demoted, while Nottingham Forest and Everton have both been deducted points this season.
Newcastle announced a £73.4million loss for the 2022/23 earlier this year, a little under £3m more than in the previous campaign.
READ MORE: What the FFP is going on with Man City, Chelsea, Everton and Nottingham Forest?
Speaking on the Football Insider Insider Track podcast, Wyness claimed that Newcastle are close to breaking financial rules but are not expected to be deducted points or demoted.
He said: “I think Newcastle are right on the edge of the FFP regulations.
“I believe they’re going to be just about okay.
“Newcastle should have done better commercially in the last year, especially since they were in the Champions League.
“They could have been more aggressive with sponsorship and other revenue streams.
Related video: Why Newcastle Can’t Defend Anymore And How To Fix It (FourFourTwo)
of energy impacts Newcastle United in a way it wouldn't
“Nevertheless, I believe they’ll be okay.
“There is always going to be a turnover of players as the new owners go through the phases of taking them up the league.
“Trying to keep them up the top of the league is another phase in itself.”
Howe hates FFP!
Speaking in January, Magpies boss Eddie Howe bemoaned financial fair play, with the former Bournemouth head coach eager to bolster his squad in the winter transfer window.
“In an ideal world, given the freedom to act we would have brought players in already,” Howe said.
“But we’re not in that situation – as Darren [Eales, Newcastle CEO] alluded to on Thursday, Financial Fair Play is a problem for us, and we’re having to navigate round that.
“That’s the position we’re in. When does it become a problem? It’s already one, but we’re trying to manage through it.”
READ MORE: Man City ‘expulsion’? Whatabout Liverpool, Arsenal and the other 17 Premier League cheats?
John Stones and Kyle Walker to miss Manchester City clash with Arsenal
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that key defensive duo Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss Sunday’s title showdown with Arsenal.
Walker suffered a hamstring injury in the early stages of England’s friendly with Brazil last weekend, while Stones completed that game but then picked up an adductor problem 10 minutes into the draw with Belgium.
Goalkeeper Ederson could return to the side for the first time since suffering a thigh injury when conceding a penalty against Liverpool and Manuel Akanji has recovered from a knock on international duty with Switzerland, while Guardiola will make a late decision on the fitness of Kevin de Bruyne.
“Ederson is much better but Kyle and John are out,” Guardiola said. “It is what it is.
“For Kyle it will be more tougher than John (in terms of recovery), but I don’t know for how many games he will be out.”
Asked if he was surprised that Stones had started both England friendlies, Guardiola would only say: “I don’t have any comments on that.”
Sunday’s game is the last of the season between any of the top three, with Arsenal top of the table on goal difference from Liverpool and reigning champions City a point behind.
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Guardiola’s side remain in contention for a repeat of last season’s treble, with Real Madrid their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea also to look forward to.
“It’s good to be here and in contention for three titles after what happened last season,” Guardiola added. “We made incredible work.Related video: Ederson much better, Stones and Walker out for Arsenal - Guardiola (English Football Channel)
Harrison is much, much better.
“Right now every game is so important. If we are able to do it (against Arsenal), the next game will be important as well.
“We played really good the last month but the international break, the first game after you think what will happen? Yesterday we trained good and we have two more training sessions and will be ready for it again.”
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City won all three games against Arsenal last season, including a 4-1 victory at the Etihad, but the Gunners have turned the tables this campaign with victory on penalties in the Community Shield and a 1-0 win at the Emirates in October.
Asked what the difference is between Mikel Arteta’s side then and now, Guardiola said: “Same manager, same players.
“They control many aspects of the game and every time they are better and better.
“When you have consistency in terms of ideas and the same manager, you always improve. If you change manager and players, it is more difficult.”
Liverpool awaited Alonso exit verdict despite claim only ‘unexpected interest’ could force departure
‘Some staff at Liverpool’ were reportedly hoping that Xabi Alonso would have a change of heart about his Bayer Leverkusen future at the end of this season.
After Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer, Alonso was swiftly identified as the clear favourite to replace the iconic German.
Alonso to stay
The Bayer Leverkusen boss has been in charge of the German club since October 2022. They were in a relegation fight when he took over but they are currently unbeaten across all competitions this season and ten points clear of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool were facing competition from Bayern Munich in the race to appoint Alonso, but the inexperienced head coach has decided to stick with Bayer Leverkusen for another season.
During a press conference on Friday, he said: “I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and I informed them that I will stay and continue at the club. After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. This is the place to be for me.
“My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great… it’s all fantastic here. I’m still young coach but I think this is the best decision for my future. I took my time and I’m sure about that.”Related video: Xabi Alonso rules out move to become Liverpool manager (Metro)
We've been here many, many times and it's been a
READ MORE: Mediawatch… Liverpool take Alonso rejection as hilariously badly as Newcastle with ‘stained’ Ashworth exit
According to a detailed report from The Athletic, ‘some staff at Liverpool’ felt ‘if Leverkusen won the Bundesliga, Alonso might decide he could not top that and move on, but the club were never given any false hope by his camp’.
It is noted that Alonso ‘was never offered the job and there were no face-to-face discussions’ with Liverpool after the club ‘initially made contact with his camp shortly after Klopp’s announcement’.
The report also reveals that Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rofles ‘always felt confident that Alonso would remain provided Real Madrid did not unexpectedly express an interest in hiring him this summer’.
READ MORE: Six ways to separate Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title run-in
Real Madrid ‘curveball’
Regarding Real Madrid’s interest in Alonso, it is suggested that they had been considered a ‘possible curveball’, while Manchester City are another potential destination. The report adds.
‘Real Madrid were a possible curveball. Alonso won La Liga and the Champions League during his five seasons at the Bernabeu after leaving Liverpool in 2009 and is viewed as a possible successor to Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract runs until 2026.
‘Real Madrid CEO Jose Angel Sanchez regards Alonso highly and many at the club – including Ancelotti – see him as someone who could work well with the club’s generation of youngsters, although president Florentino Perez is less convinced he is quite ready for the step up.
‘There has been no contact between Real Madrid and Alonso recently and his decision to stay at Leverkusen for at least one more season is not linked to any interest from the Spanish giants. Alonso has also been mentioned as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.’
Next Liverpool manager: 12 emerging candidates to replace Klopp after Alonso snub
Liverpool can forget about appointing Xabi Alonso as their next manager after he committed to Bayer Leverkusen, which has led to links with a plethora of other candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp will be stepping down as Liverpool manager in the summer and many thought former Reds midfielder Alonso would be the favourite to succeed him. However, Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen can now breathe a sigh of relief that they will be keeping their manager.
Liverpool’s attention will have to turn elsewhere and FSG CEO Michael Edwards and Reds sporting director Richard Hughes will be wasting no time in identifying other candidates to take over from the legendary Klopp.
Here are the main managers to have been linked with Liverpool since Alonso announced his decision on Friday.
Ruben Amorim
The new favourite for the role is Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim. The 39-year-old has been in charge of the Lisbon outfit since 2020 and is aiming to win a second Primeira Liga title this season.
There is a release clause in his contract with Sporting that would allow Liverpool to acquire him by paying around £12.8m.Related video: Xabi Alonso rules out move to become Liverpool manager (Metro)
We've been here many, many times and it's been a
Asked about Liverpool’s interest in his services by Sport TV, Amorim has replied: “Right now, I’m focused on Sporting. I’m very proud to be Sporting’s coach.
“We’re focused on winning titles. You’ll see in the end. I have a contract and I’m very happy here.”
Nevertheless, reports indicate Liverpool want to approach Amorim at the end of the season.
READ MORE: The frightening XI Liverpool could select if Ruben Amorim takes charge in the Anfield dugout
Roberto De Zerbi
Liverpool could alternatively find their solution a little closer to home. Plan B behind Amorim now seems to be Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.
With the added benefit of having existing Premier League experience, De Zerbi would also be available for a similar fee.
He led Brighton into Europe for the first time in their history last season after carrying on the good work of Graham Potter before him.
In February, Brighton CEO Paul Barber told talkSPORT: “We expect our best people, whether they’re coaches, players or staff, to come to the notice of others.
“It is a compliment, it can be frustrating as well for us obviously, but we plan for these eventualities.
“I’m hoping Roberto is here for a long time. He’s happy here, he’s doing a great job here, the fans love him, the players love him even more and we hope he stays for a long time.”
Julian Nagelsmann
While Alonso is not ready to leave Germany yet, an alternative for Liverpool could come from that country.
Julian Nagelsmann is in charge of the Germany national team, but that will only be the case until the end of Euro 2024 as things stand.
At club level, he has previous experience in charge of clubs like RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. Remarkably, he is still only 36 years old.
Like Amorim, Nagelsmann has background data that impresses Liverpool, according to Give Me Sport, but he is still seen as more of an outside candidate for the post.
Links with Liverpool and Nagelsmann have just resurfaced, though, with Portuguese source Jornal De Noticias naming him as an alternative to Amorim.
Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou continues to be linked with the Liverpool job
Ange Postecoglou has impressed during his first spell in the Premier League this season, despite being regarded as something of a late bloomer.
The former Celtic boss is two years older than Klopp at 58, but looks like someone capable of putting the foundations in place for long-term stability at a club.
When asked about links with Liverpool in February, Postecoglou said: “I may be on a shortlist, I don’t think I want to say anything about that because I don’t think that’s ever going to enter my brain space for what are my priorities in life and profession right now.”
With the Australian pledging his commitment to Tottenham, he looks unlikely to take the Liverpool job, but Jornal De Noticias has also kept him in the frame.
Unai Emery
Another candidate already within the Premier League to have been linked with Liverpool by the Portuguese media is Aston Villa’s Unai Emery.
The former Arsenal boss took Villa into Europe for the current season and has previously won the Europa League several times with Sevilla, even at Liverpool’s expense once.
There aren’t many details about Liverpool’s admiration of Emery yet, but he has been included in some lists of potential Klopp successors.
Thomas Frank
Brentford are another Premier League club who may be fearing Liverpool prising away their manager, Thomas Frank.
Some Liverpool figures see similarities between the Dane and Klopp, according to The Athletic.
Frank has been with Brentford since 2018, taking them from the Championship to the Premier League and even finishing in the top half last season.
Franck Haise
At first, Franck Haise was an unfamiliar name for many when he began to be linked with Liverpool, but the Lens boss keeps popping up in connection with the Reds.
He very nearly took Lens to the Ligue 1 title last season until they missed out to serial winners PSG by one point. This season, he has managed them in the Champions League.
For context, Lens were in Ligue 2 when he took them over.
Haise, 52, has been mentioned by The Athletic as someone the data could lead Liverpool to, but not necessarily someone they will stick with on a final shortlist.
The Times has also put him in the frame for the Anfield vacancy.
Roger Schmidt
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has also been linked with Liverpool by The Times and other sources such as the Liverpool Echo.
The 57-year-old German is well travelled, having managed clubs like Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, Bayer Leverkusen in his homeland, Beijing Guoan in China and PSV in the Netherlands.
Since the start of last season he has been in Portugal with Benfica and he won the league at the first time of asking, as his side finished two points clear of Porto (and a whole 13 above Amorim’s Sporting down in fourth).
This season, Benfica and Sporting are the main challengers for the Portuguese crown.
Simone Inzaghi
De Zerbi is not the only Italian tactician who may have caught Liverpool’s attention. In February, Tuttosport suggested Simone Inzaghi – a Champions League runner up with Inter last season and almost certainly on course to be a Scudetto winner this season – was under consideration.
Filippo Inzaghi’s younger brother has been one of Serie A’s standout tacticians across spells with Lazio and Inter, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with both clubs.
In March, though, La Gazzetta Dello Sport said he would reject any offers to leave Inter, where he has openly confessed he is happy.
His name has been brought back into the Liverpool equation since Alonso’s announcement, though, including from The Athletic.
Thiago Motta
Another of Serie A’s eye-catching managers this season has been former PSG midfielder Thiago Motta, who has Bologna in contention for Champions League qualification.
TEAMtalk was told recently that Manchester United are aware of him, but The Athletic has now revealed he has also been discussed by Liverpool.
Things don’t seem to have gone any further than that as things stand, but the 41-year-old is absolutely someone to keep an eye on.
Paulo Fonseca
Former Shakhtar and Roma boss Paulo Fonseca is approaching the end of his contract with Lille, which might make him available in the summer.
The Athletic has hinted that data could lead Liverpool to the Portuguese coach, confirming in a recent update to previous information that he is highly thought of.
Fonseca was previously under consideration to come to the Premier League with Tottenham in 2021.
Thomas Tuchel
Finally (for now at least), there is the prospect of Thomas Tuchel succeeding Klopp at a third different club.
It already happened at Mainz and then Borussia Dortmund, but Tuchel is now preparing for his next job after deciding to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
Coincidentally, Bayern were also considering Alonso but are having to widen their own focus.
As for Tuchel, various outlets keep mentioning him at a distance as someone Liverpool could consider after his previous foray into the Premier League with Chelsea.
Only time will tell who ends up with the job.
DON’T MISS – Ruben Amorim: Liverpool manager target’s top five Sporting CP signings amid Klopp replacement rumours
