04 May 2023 , 17:02
870
0
Xabi Alonso has insisted he is "100 percent committed" to Bayer Leverkusen amid links with the vacant Tottenham job.
The former Liverpool midfielder is one of a number of candidates said to be in the frame as a long-term successor to Antonio Conte, who left north London in March. Reports in the Netherlands suggested the Spanish international was top of their list, so his latest comments may come as a blow.
Alonso only took over as Leverkusen manager in October, following a spell in charge of Real Sociedad's B team. He has helped lift the team out of relegation danger in the Bundesliga to challenge for European qualification while also reaching the final four of the Europa League.
"I've been in football for many years, Alonso said. "Rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve.
"That's why my head is 100 percent here for the last few months. And my head is also 100 percent here for next season."
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Leverkusen are due to face a former Tottenham manager in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Victory over two legs against Jose Mourinho's Roma would put the German side within one victory of the trophy and Champions League qualification, while they currently sit sixth in the league - good enough for another Europa League season.
Would Xabi Alonso be right to stay at Leverkusen? Have your say in the comments section
Xabi Alonso has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen (Getty Images)Other names to have been linked with the Spurs job include Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim and former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann. Questions will be asked ahead of the new appointment, with the identity of Fabio Paratici's successor as director of football potentially impacting the next steps.
Meanwhile, Spurs have been told by former England defender Gary Neville not to sell Harry Kane this summer. The club's leading scorer is out of contract in 2024, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich among the sides linked.
"When you think about this season for Spurs, and how it's going to end, I don't think Tottenham can let Harry Kane go in the summer," Neville told Sky Sports over the weekend. "They are going to have to let him wind down his contract.
"They will need to build around him next season with a new manager. If he leaves in the summer, and a new manager comes in, will he really want to take the job if he's a big name without Kane there?
"They may just have to swallow the fact that they're not going to get a fee for him or try to encourage him to stay during that season. The new manager that comes in is going to want to keep the pair of Kane and Son Heung-min together."