Bayer 04 Leverkusen Managing Director Sports, Simon Rolfes says rumours linking head coach Xabi Alonso with a move to a “bigger club” don’t give him sleepless nights.
Leverkusen are the only unbeaten team left in Europe’s top five leagues, and are leading the Bundesliga by four points ahead of record champions Bayern Munich, who have a game in hand.
Alonso took over from Gerardo Seoane in October 2022, when the club was sitting in 17th spot on the Bundesliga table, and has since overseen an incredible turn-around.
Leverkusen are currently unbeaten in 22 games in 2023/24, and are also impressing with a refreshing attacking style of play.
The fine performances under Alonso haven’t gone unnoticed, with the Spaniard linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who could be tempted to look at their former player after the current campaign.
However, Rolfes says the rumours around Alonso are not giving him sleepless nights and he isn’t worried about losing the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner after the current campaign.
“I look like I’m tired, hey. (Laughs) That was because of the late game yesterday, not because of Xabi,” he told a group of journalists during a round-table talk, which was also attended by iDiski Times.
“He’s happy here. He extended his contract, he feels really, really good in this club.
“We have a good relationship. And also his coaching staff and all the employees and the players, and I think that’s always key for a manager but also for players that you feel that you’re at the right place.
“And that is what we are feeling. He is 100% here, he is involved in all of the planning, not only short-term planning, also mid-term planning.
“And that’s why we are really happy.”
Alonso initially signed a contract until 2024 with Leverkusen but already signed a new deal until 2026 in August.
You can read the full interview with Rolfes in this week’s edition of the iDiski Times newspaper, where he also talks about the club’s interest in African players, how they lured Alonso to Leverkusen and gives an insight into their renown scouting.
