What Xabi Alonso said amid Liverpool ‘plan’ as Bayer Leverkusen’s dream ends

Xabi Alonso’s dreams of leading Bayer Leverkusen to a sensational unbeaten treble this season are over. Unfortunately for him, he fell at the same hurdle that Liverpool did.

Atalanta became the first team to beat Leverkusen this season as the Italian side won the Europa League final. A sensational Ademola Lookman hat-trick proved to be the difference and ended Leverkusen’s dreams of making history this season.

The German side can still add the DFB-Pokal to their Bundesliga triumph on Saturday to round off what has been a thoroughly remarkable first season in charge for Alonso. The former midfielder has certainly earned himself some admirers with his exploits.

READ MORE: Robin van Persie sends Liverpool a clear message to Arne Slot after working with him
READ MORE: Why is Ben Doak known as the ‘Scottish Wayne Rooney’? Ange Postecoglou said the nickname before moving to Liverpool

Alonso was heavily linked with Jürgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool earlier in the year before confirming his decision to stay at Leverkusen for at least one more season.

With Arne Slot now confirmed as the Reds’ new head coach, Liverpool will be hoping they won’t be on the hunt for a new manager for a while. When the time comes, Alonso may find himself back in the picture.

And the former midfielder did not rule out this possibility. Despite committing his future to Leverkusen, Alonso has left the door open for a move to the Premier League at some point.

“You never know, I’ve got enough on my plate at the moment to think about,” he said last month.

“But I’m still young as a coach and it’s certainly a nice (thought). I speak regularly to some colleagues who coach in the Premier League and I know that every game is very difficult to prepare and play.”

Alonso is clearly an ambitious manager and, according to German publication Abendzeitung, has mapped out a long-term career that includes Liverpool. The 42-year-old is said to want to coach the Reds, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at some point during his managerial career.

Not only that, but he has made it clear in the past that he eventually wants to return to Anfield. Speaking in an interview with talkSPORT in 2018, he said: “Yes, sure, I’ve dreamed of it, but first I have to prove myself and prepare.

“If I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, my connection, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool is there. Why not? We’ll see if we can cross paths.”

Liverpool.com says: It’s a shame Alonso won’t lead Leverkusen to an unbeaten treble now this season. If nothing else, it would have been the most remarkable of stories given where the club was when he arrived as manager.

However, defeat to Atalanta should not take away from what is a remarkable achievement. Alonso will undoubtedly go on to have a successful career as a manager and who knows, a return to Liverpool could be in the future at some point.