"Smart not to step into the footsteps of Jürgen Klopp" - Ex-Manchester United star praises Xabi Alonso for turning down Liverpool job 

Former Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger has praised Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso for turning down the managerial role at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp's departure.

Schweinsteiger and Alonso played 19 games together in the 2014-15 season at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga title under legendary coach Pep Guardiola. The former moved to Manchester United, making 35 appearances for the Red Devils across two seasons, while the latter retired at Bayern in 2017.

The Spaniard turned to management after his retirement. He first took charge of boyhood club Real Sociedad's B side to earn his coaching badges, and was then appointed by Leverkusen in 2022.

After some initial struggles, the 42-year-old has established himself as one of the best young coaches in the world. He has led Leverkusen to an unprecedented Bundesliga title and an incredible unbeaten run of 45 games so far this season.

He recently announced his decision to continue at Leverkusen despite interest from former clubs Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Former German international Schweinsteiger recently made an appearance on The Overlap podcast, where he called Alonso 'smart' for turning down the Reds.

Talking about an even more unexpected potential treble-winning season for the Spaniard with Leverkusen, he said:

"I also thought that he might think about the Liverpool situation as well but maybe it’s smart not to step into the footsteps of Jürgen Klopp. With Leverkusen, he has won the league, and he might win the cup and is still in the Europa League."

He added that time was on Alonso's side, and expressed optimism about Leverkusen's chances in the Champions League under the Spaniard next season.

"Then next year to play in the Champions League, with the way they play, they could go far. He is still a young coach; he has time to be coach of one of the best teams in the world in the future," he said.

"It brings its own dangers" - Liverpool legend Didi Hamann weighs in on Xabi Alonso's Liverpool rejection

Liverpool legend Didi Hamann also weighed in on Xabi Alonso's decision to continue as Leverkusen coach, echoing countryman Bastian Schweinsteiger in claiming it was the right decision.

Hamann and Alonso played in 38 games together for the Reds across two seasons under Rafael Benitez, lifting the 2004-05 Champions League title.

Stating that it is an incredibly dangerous situation for anyone who chooses to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Hamann said (via Liverpool ECHO):

“I think 100% he [Alonso] made the right decision. It is not an easy task to follow Klopp at Liverpool. It brings its own dangers with it and that might be another thing why one or two people, I don’t want to say put off, but think what can they do."

He also echoed Schweinsteiger in saying that Leverkusen have a great chance to replicate their success next season under Alonso, adding:

“He has a great team at Leverkusen and I think they’re keeping pretty much the whole team together bar one or two players. They’ll bring in new ones too and I think he’s made the right call because if they do stay together, which I think they will, I think they can have a really good run in the Champions League next season.”