Xabi Alonso stamps out exit rumours as Bayer Leverkusen gear up for Freiburg clash

With rumours swirling that the Spaniard might leave the BayArena in the summer, Alonso made it clear he's not entertaining the chatter.

"There's nothing to say about my future," Alonso said during his pre-match press conference. He emphasized the strong communication within the club, noting, "Simon Rolfes, Fernando Carro, and I always have clarity between us."

The 43-year-old, widely regarded as one of Europe's top coaches, has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Manchester City. Despite Bayer Leverkusen reportedly identifying Real Sociedad's Imanol Alguacil as a potential successor, Alonso remained unfazed by the speculation.

Shifting focus to the pitch, Alonso provided a squad update ahead of the Freiburg trip. "Everyone's fit except for Victor Boniface, who felt discomfort in his thigh after training. He missed today's session, and we'll assess him tomorrow," he said. Long-term absentees remain sidelined, but the rest of the squad are ready to go.

Alonso also addressed midfielder Jonas Hofmann's frustration over limited playing time this season. "I understand Jonas feels he could've played more," Alonso said. "It's been tougher for him, but I have to make decisions based on what's best for the team. I try to ensure every player understands their role, even if not everyone can play every game." 

He acknowledged the competition from new signing Emiliano Buendía as a factor in his selections.

Recent posts on X from Bayer Leverkusen's official account (@bayer04_en) highlighted Alonso's comments after their 2-0 win over Augsburg, where he praised the team's "energy and self-belief." The victory delayed Bayern Munich's title celebrations, showing Leverkusen's intent to fight until the end.

As Leverkusen prepare to face Freiburg, Alonso's leadership remains steadfast. The team sit six points behind Bayern Munich with eight games left, and their German Cup semifinal against Arminia Bielefeld looms. For now, Alonso's message is clear: his focus is on Leverkusen's next battle, not his next move.

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