FC Bayern announced on Wednesday that they were separating from coach Thomas Tuchel (50) in the summer (BILD reported exclusively in advance). The result: The German record champions need a new coach for the coming season.
A hot candidate to succeed Tuchel: Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso (42), who with Bayer 04 is currently eight points ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga table.
Now, at the press conference before Leverkusen’s game once morest Mainz (Friday, 8:30 p.m., DAZN/on bild.de in the live ticker), Alonso spoke without being asked regarding a potential move to Munich!
Alonso proactively addressed the journalists right at the start of the press conference. The Leverkusen coach says before the first question: “Maybe you have some questions regarding my future, but I’m sorry, I have nothing new to say. I wanted to say that beforehand.”
So Alonso chokes off all questions regarding his future and a possible move to Bayern in the summer! As the press conference continued, Alonso continued to emphasize in response to repeated questions: “I have nothing new to say.”
When Alonso was finally asked whether anyone from Bayern had ever contacted him, he laughed and said: “I understand the question, but I have to say once more that I have nothing new to say. It’s just hypothetical.”
You can read all of Alonso’s statements regarding his future plans and the Bayern rumors surrounding him here in the live ticker for the press conference!
-
February 22, 2024 – 1:45 p.m
Alonso: “It’s just hypothetical”
Alonso is asked once more regarding the rumors. The Leverkusen coach on whether anyone from Bayern had ever contacted him: “I understand the question, but I have to say once more that I have nothing new to say. It’s just hypothetical.” He laughs.
Shortly followingwards the press conference ended.
-
02/22/2024 – 1:44 p.m
Alonso: This is how the rumors affect the team
Alonso on whether the rumors spilled over into the dressing room and whether the team was talking regarding it: “No. For example, this week was normal. It was quiet for us. We had three training sessions. That is normal. The most important thing was that Palacios was back without any problems. That was the latest. Everything else was totally normal for us.”
-
February 22, 2024 – 1:40 p.m
Alonso: “It’s normal that …”
Alonso is asked: “You just clearly said yes to Bayer Leverkusen. Does that mean Xabi Alonso will also be at Bayer 04 in 2026?”
Alonso: “Right now I’m the coach. That’s for sure. I have nothing new to say for the future. We will see. It’s normal that there are questions, but it’s off topic now. Now is not the time for me to talk much regarding it.”
When asked once more, Alonso replies: “I’ve already answered that.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:38 p.m
Alonso on a restless week
Alonso on whether he is afraid that unrest will arise in Leverkusen because the focus is always on him: “I don’t feel that way. That’s no problem. We have a great opponent. We are very focused.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:36 p.m
Alonso: “No problem for me”
Alonso on whether it would be an honor or annoyance for him if his name was automatically mentioned every time a job became available: “It’s not a problem for me. I know that it is my goal, it is my job, to be successful with the team. This is my work. We are in a very good situation right now. We want to continue like this. That’s enough for me.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:33 p.m
Alonso: “Assume that…”
Alonso is asked whether he will also be Leverkusen coach next season.
Alonso: “I’m assuming that right now.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:32 p.m
Alonso: “I have nothing new to say”
Alonso is asked: Is everything a non-issue or do you not want to say anything?
Alonso: “I have nothing new to say.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:31 p.m
Alonso: “You may have questions…”
Alonso before the first questions: “Maybe you have some questions regarding my future, but I’m sorry, I have nothing new to say. I wanted to say that beforehand.”
-
02/22/2024 – 1:31 p.m
Alonso is there, PK begins
Xabi Alonso (42) has taken his place. The press conference begins.
-
02/22/2024 – 1:31 p.m
Alonso: “Almost everyone is there”
Alonso on the situation in the team: “Today was the last training session. We have prepared well. We have almost all the players there. We expect Mainz tomorrow with a new coach and a new influence.”
