Xabi Alonso is reportedly not in the frame to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with the Reds looking at two other candidates.
Klopp announced in January that he would be ending his tenure at Liverpool when the 2023/24 season is up and former player Alonso was immediately tipped as the next boss at Anfield.
However, a fresh report from Chris Bascombe from The Telegraph claims that the Spaniard is "unlikely" to be on a new manager shortlist.
It's said Alonso wants to stay on Bayer Leverkusen next season after a stunning unbeaten campaign.
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Leverkusen are ten points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and on the verge of ending Bayern Munich's dominance by winning their first ever league title.
Alonso appears to feel as though he has unfinished business and can take this exciting side even further.
He had been a strong contender from the off but with Alonso seemingly staying put, Liverpool are believed to be fixed on Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP.
The pair are seen as two of the most exciting coaches for the next generation and the club have been preparing detailed dossiers on potential suitors.
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Alonso has also been linked with another two of his former clubs in Real Madrid and Bayern, though the latter are not confident of luring him away from Leverkusen.
“I feel that it will be very difficult to sign Xabi Alonso, not to say probably impossible,” Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness said.
“I can certainly imagine him staying at Bayer Leverkusen to continue his job.
“[Alonso] is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind.
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"Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there.”
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Liverpool, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Xabi Alonso