Liverpool fans have been coming to terms with the fact that Xabi Alonso will not be their next manager.
Alonso had been earmarked as the potential outstanding candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp when he leaves at the end of the season.
Having just led Bayer Leverkusen to a first ever Bundesliga title – and doing it unbeaten to boot – the Spaniard could yet win a treble this year. No wonder Liverpool fans wanted him at Anfield.
But, after communicating his decision to stay at Leverkusen for 2024/25, that isn’t going to happen. It was perhaps a surprise to see him stay put amid interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but Alonso knows his own mind.
That conviction hasn’t pleased everyone though, with Paul Merson one of those to suggest that the 42-year-old could come to regret his choices.
What did Paul Merson say about Xabi Alonso
Alonso’s decision to stay where he is seems to have been widely applauded by the football world. It isn’t often ‘smaller’ teams get the chance to build on something over more than a year or so after all.
Having done well, they usually have their best assets stripped by those higher up the food chain. That isn’t going to happen to Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, Merson was one of those to disagree. Speaking to Sky Sports on March 30th, the former England midfielder claimed that Alonso should have taken a bigger job while he had the chance.
“I’m shocked,” said Merson. “I can understand he’s probably happy what he’s doing, getting great accolades and rightly so, but it comes along once in a blue moon.
“I just hope he doesn’t regret this. That’s my opinion. I know what management’s like, everybody gets the sack in the end.”
How has Xabi Alonso responded
Obviously, Merson is entitled to his view. In truth, it’s an opinion that we tend to agree with. Call us bias, but although Alonso still reportedly plans to one day manage Liverpool, there’s no guarantee that chance ever comes around again.
The man himself clearly disagrees though, and has suggested to Spanish outlet AS that he places no value in Merson’s thoughts.
“Everyone is responsible for their own decisions,” Alonso says. “I hope it is the right one, I am convinced that it will be so. I’m enjoying the moment and, of course, I’m looking forward to continuing to improve.
“Paul Merson will have made decisions that I don’t value, this is mine.”
Only time will tell whether Alonso has made the right call.
