Xabi Alonso opens up on why he turned down chance to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and insists he's 'committed' to Bayer Leverkusen... as Ruben Amorim remains front-runner to take over

Xabi Alonso has revealed that there were 'many reasons' as to why he turned down the chance to succeed Jurgen Klopp as the next Liverpool manager. 

The Bayer Leverkusen boss, who spent five years at the Merseyside outfit as a player, had been heavily linked to take over from the German after he announced in January that he would be leaving the club after eight years at the helm. 

With Thomas Tuchel set to leave title rivals Bayern Munich this summer, Alonso had also been linked with a move to the Bundesliga champions, but 42-year-old revealed that he would be staying put during a press conference in March. 

Alonso, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, subsequently stated that he felt he had made the 'right' decision to remain at Leverkusen, with Sporting Lisbon boss, Ruben Amorim, now the leading candidate to take over at the Premier League title chasers.

In his 18 months in charge at Leverkusen, Alonso has helped catapault the club to the top of the Bundesliga standings - six points clear of Bayern. They now look poised to win their first-ever league title and Alonso has now revealed that he felt it was 'not the right time to leave'. 

'There were many reasons [for deciding to start at the club],' he told TNT Sports when asked on why he chose to snub a move to Liverpool. 

'After one year, we're building a team, we're building a great spirit here. There were many reasons and so many players. 

'The season has been great so far, and for sure we want to keep having this thing together. I felt part of it. 

He added: 'After one year, it didn't feel like the right timing, and that's why I'm committed.' 

There is some speculation that Real Madrid are eyeing-up a move to appoint Alonso as a successor to Carlo Ancelotti - whose contract will expire in 2026.  

Relevo report that Florentino Perez and Madrid had been following his decision to turn down the Reds closely and that the president wants Alonso to take over when the Italian moves on. 

Leverkusen, meanwhile, are also through to the final of the German Cup and will take on West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals on Wednesday night. 

There is a chance that his side could win the Treble this season, having endured heartache over the past 27 years, finishing runners up in the Bundesliga on five occasions since 1997. 

They have also finished second in the German Cup on three occasions since they last lifted the trophy in 1993, and almost tasted Champions League glory back in 2002 - only to be beaten in the final by Real Madrid.

Amid the prospect of claiming their first piece of silverware in over 30 years, Alonso was keen not to put pressure on his side. 

'The team has come together really good and we have been able to progress, to create a mentality, to create a football style, and it's certainly not just good football, but it's very competitive as well,' he said.

'We have a good chance for sure in the Bundesliga, in Pokal as well in the Cup, and in the Europa League. To win the treble, it's still too early for that, so let's not try to put so much pressure.

'Tomorrow, we have a great tie against West Ham. A top team. Champions of the Conference League. Great experience in Europe. Top players, top manager. It's going to be a nice one. Let's hope that it turns in our way.'

Outgoing Liverpool boss, Klopp, has also admitted that he understood Alonso's decision to stay put. 

'I can speak about a young manager being at a club where he's doing well,' said Klopp, who opted to stay in charge of Mainz despite offers from big teams around Europe. 

'I did pretty much the same and never regretted it.'