Bayer Leverkusen CEO denies Liverpool clause in Xabi Alonso contract
Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, has denied the existence of a clause in Xabi Alonso’s contract that allows the manager to take over one of his former clubs next year.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, who also played for Bayern Munich and Real Sociedad, is expected to return to both clubs as a head coach if either Jurgen Klopp or Carlo Ancelotti steps down in the near future.
Leverkusen’s chances of continental success were dashed by Roma, but Alonso’s team has made an outstanding start to the season, winning 16 and drawing one of their 17 games in all competitions.
With 31 points from a possible 33 in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen is two points ahead of perennial champions Bayern Munich at the top of the table, and they have already clinched a top-two finish in their Europa League group with four wins from four European outings.
Alonso’s unexpected success at Leverkusen has inevitably fueled speculation about a managerial appointment at Anfield or the Bernabeu, and it was reported that the 41-year-old’s contract includes a release clause that would allow him to return to one of his former clubs as their new head coach for 2024-25.
Carro, speaking to talkSPORT, revealed that no such option existed, adding that Leverkusen are protected by Alonso’s contract, which extends until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Bayer Leverkusen CEO denies Liverpool clause in Xabi Alonso contract
Nonetheless, Carro has vowed that the club will not stand in Alonso’s way if the perfect opportunity arises, saying: “No, but you don’t need a clause.”
“We have a great relationship with Xabi, and he knows we are a serious club.” After all, we’re not going to compel someone to stay if he doesn’t want to. We want him to be so happy and comfortable with us that he only wants to stay, and that is our goal.
“Nothing on paper, but agreements that aren’t on paper are agreements as well, and we know that if he needs to move in the future, we’ll be able to talk.” I hope we won’t have to do this because he’ll be happy in Leverkusen.”
Real Madrid are facing managerial instability in the second half of the season, since Ancelotti is in the final year of his contract and has been heavily connected with the Brazil post.
The Brazilian Football Confederation president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, stated in July that Ancelotti will take over the Selecao for the Copa America in 2024, but neither the Italian nor Real have acknowledged such plans, and Los Blancos may even try to lock the 64-year-old down to a new deal.
Meanwhile, Klopp’s Liverpool contract does not expire until the summer of 2026, having signed to an extension in April 2022, despite being expected to follow Joachim Low as Germany manager in 2021 for a limited while.
Klopp ruled it out when Hansi Flick was appointed instead, and the 56-year-old also reaffirmed his devotion to the Reds earlier this year after Flick left, prompting Die Mannschaft to employ Julian Nagelsmann.
Alonso won the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and two Community Shields with Liverpool over a five-year period before joining Real Madrid and winning another European Cup, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, two Copa del Reys, and a Supercopa de Espana.
