Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has said that he is "really happy" in his current role but refused to rule out taking charge of Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's shock announcement.
Klopp revealed on Friday that he would be stepping down as manager of the Merseyside giants at the end of the season, and Alonso is viewed as the favourite to be appointed the club's new head coach.
The 42-year-old was in charge of Real Sociedad B before moving to Leverkusen in 2022, and his team are still unbeaten in all competitions during a remarkable 2023-24 campaign.
Die Werkself sit top of the Bundesliga table, four points ahead of second-placed Bayern Munich, ahead of Saturday's home game with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Alonso was asked about the Liverpool job following Klopp's announcement, and the club's former midfielder refused to rule out taking the position despite expressing his happiness in his current role.
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"First of all it was a surprise [Klopp stepping down] but as well I have huge respect for Jurgen. Huge admiration before coming to Liverpool and during his years it has grown bigger, what he has achieved and the way he has achieved it," Alonso told reporters on Friday afternoon.
"At the moment, I am really happy here and enjoying my work here. I'm feeling each day and each game is a challenge and we are in an intense but beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I am trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing, and that's my goal. What will come next, I don't know.
"I was very surprised [by Klopp's exit]. My focus is Leverkusen. At the moment I am really happy here. I still have a big motivation and I am very happy with the club and the team.
"To be honest I'm not in that moment to think about the next step. I'm thinking about where I am right now and I think that I'm in a great place and I am enjoying [it]. I think it's the right place, so that's all I can say.
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"I don't know about the pace; my pace is what's going to be the pace of the team on Saturday because that's what really matters and I'm going to be happy when we are playing well and we deserve to win.
"What's going to happen in the future I don't know and I don't really care at the moment."
There is believed to be a clause in Alonso's contract which would allow him to take charge of former clubs Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich this summer.
Alonso represented Liverpool as a player between 2004 and 2009, famously winning the Champions League during his time at Anfield, in addition to the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.
Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane are among the names also thought to be in the frame for the position.
Matt Law
