Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso (42), who was embroiled in rumors of being appointed to Bayern Munich, spoke directly.
‘Sky Sports’ Germany reported on the 23rd (Korean time), “Coach Alonso started the press conference by directly blocking questions about the future.”
Leverkusen will play a home game in the 23rd round of the ‘2023-2024 German Bundesliga’ against Mainz 05 at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany at 4:30 am on the 24th (Korean time).
According to the media, at a press conference held a day before the game, Coach Alonso said, “I think there may be a lot of questions about my future. But I have nothing to say.” “I wanted to talk about it in advance. I am now the manager of Leverkusen. That is certain. I have nothing more to say about my future,” he said. “It is normal to have questions, but there is no need to talk about them.”
However, when questions such as ‘Did you receive any contact from Munich after the official announcement that Tuchel was leaving Munich?’, he drew a line, saying, “I have said it repeatedly, but I have nothing to say. Everything is just a hypothesis.” He continued, “Last week, which was talked about a lot, was just a normal day for me. I had three training sessions as usual.”
Coach Alonso finally said, “Leverkusen is in a very good situation right now. I just want to keep moving forward like this.”
Recently, news broke that coach Thomas Tuchel will be stepping down from his position as coach of Munich at the end of this season. Munich said through its official channel on the 21st, “The original contract with coach Tuchel was until June 30th of next year, but we decided to terminate the contract at the end of June 30th of this year. CEO Jan-Christian Dressen and Tuchel “This is the result of the director’s discussion,” he announced.
CEO Dressen said on Munich’s official website, “Under mutual agreement with coach Tuchel, we have decided to maintain a cooperative relationship until this summer and then terminate the contract. Next season, we will seek a new direction with a new coach.” He continued, “Munich must achieve the maximum possible performance in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League (UCL) by then. I am also responsible (for the recent slump). Although Munich lost to Lazio in the first leg of the UCL round of 16, However, I am confident that we will advance to the quarterfinals with a full crowd at the Allianz Arena (our home stadium).”
Coach Tuchel, who had resigned despite continued rumors of his dismissal, finally said goodbye. He said, “We have decided to end our partnership with Munich at the end of this season. Until then, we will do everything we can with the coaching staff.”
Munich won the league title for 11 consecutive years after competing with Dortmund until the final game of the league last season. Dortmund was defeated by Mainz in the final game, and Munich was ahead on goal difference and barely lifted the trophy. Munich, which wanted to become the ‘absolute number one’, strengthened its power by recruiting Harry Kane, one of the world’s best strikers, and ‘world-class center back’ Kim Min-jae in the winter transfer market.
But as the season progressed, disappointment grew. The last three consecutive losses were painful. After losing 0-3 against Leverkusen in the 21st round, they lost 0-1 at Lazio in the first leg of the UCL round of 16. They then lost 2-3 in the 22nd round against Bochum, who were one level below them. It was their 3rd consecutive loss in about 9 years since May 2015 when coach Pep Guardiola was leading.
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