“I remain calm and optimistic.” – Simon Rolfes on Xabi Alonso’s future amid Liverpool and Bayern Munich interest 

For Bayer Leverkusen, this season has been unrivalled. Sitting eleven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table, Die Werkself are also still in the DFB-Pokal and the Europa League as they aim to win an unprecedented treble. 

As well as this, Leverkusen still remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, a truly remarkable feat. Yet, over the past few weeks, the exuberant joy that would have been coursing through the city has undoubtedly simmered down. 

With head coach Xabi Alonso being linked with both Bayern Munich and Liverpool, there is grave concern that the Spaniard’s time at the BayArena is coming to an end. However, there is still optimism that Alonso will remain at the club, as sporting director Simon Rolfes stated to the Frankfurter Rundschau:

“I remain calm and optimistic. The most important thing for managers is that they feel comfortable and have the feeling that they are in the right place. Xabi knows what he has at the club. He has said that many times. This is how he works with his team and his coaching team every day.”

As recently reported, Liverpool have already made contact with Alonso, while the Spaniard has also suggested being open about moving to the Allianz Arena. Therefore, in the summer, Alonso may weigh up his options and ask to leave Leverkusen, but this is something that Rolfes played down:

“There are many subjunctives in the world. Not everyone has to enter.”

Regardless of what happens at the end of the season, Alonso has allowed Leverkusen to dream, and the dream appears to soon become reality. If he is to leave, he will leave a hero; if he is to stay, then who knows what Leverkusen could be capable of?

GGFN | Will Shopland