Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has responded to rumors that he could be the next manager of Tottenham Hotspur. The Spanish tactician, who currently manages Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, has been linked to the Premier League club as part of their search for a new permanent manager.
Tottenham parted ways with Antonio Conte in March and placed Cristian Stellini in caretaker charge before giving the reins to Ryan Mason. However, they are looking for a permanent replacement in the summer and Alonso has been one of the names on their shortlist.
Despite the rumors, Alonso has made it clear that he is focused on his current role with Bayer Leverkusen. “I’ve been in football for many years, rumors are normal but we still have a lot to achieve,” he said at a press conference. “That’s why my head is 100 percent here for the last few months. And my head is also 100 percent here for next season.”
Alonso’s impact at Bayer Leverkusen has not gone unnoticed. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has praised the “astronomical” transformation that he has brought to the German side. “Since he’s gone there the transformation in that team has been astronomical so he obviously knows what he’s doing,” Redknapp told Sky Sports. “Such a classy guy, classy player. I’m not surprised one bit that Tottenham are in for him but there’ll be a lot of other clubs as well.”
Bayer Leverkusen is currently sixth in the Bundesliga table with four games remaining. While reaching the top four now seems difficult, they are likely to qualify for either the Europa League or Conference League next season. Under Alonso’s leadership, the team has won 17 of their 31 matches in charge, despite being in the Bundesliga relegation zone when he took over from Gerardo Seoane in October.
As for Tottenham, the club is in need of a manager who can bring stability and success to a team that has struggled in recent years. Alonso’s experience and success at Bayer Leverkusen make him an attractive candidate, but whether or not he will take on the challenge remains to be seen. For now, he is focused on guiding his current team to a strong finish in the Bundesliga.