Xabi Alonso has publicly confirmed he will remain as manager of Bayer Leverkusen for the 24-25 season despite strong interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

"It has been a season with a lot of speculation regarding my future," Alonso said. "I wanted to use the international break to reflect a little bit better and to take a decision.

"Last week, I had a good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, the club's sporting director] with Fernando [Carro, CEO], when I informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

"For sure all the decisions, you need to analyse well, and I tried to take the right ones, I tried to take the ones that come in a natural way, and at this moment I feel this is the right place for me to be to develop as a coach.

"I am a young coach, but I have to feel it, and right now I feel that this is the right place."

Alonso is expected to be a target for Real Madrid when the contract of Carlo Ancelotti expires in 2026.

Leverkusen is on the verge of winning its first-ever Bundesliga title.