Xabi Alonso offers Liverpool hope by dropping big hint on his future despite snubbing Reds and Bayern to stay at Bayer Leverkusen

The Spaniard was a top target for both Liverpool and Bayern Munich - both of whom will be managerless this summer with the departures of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel respectively - but decided to stay put at Leverkusen, who are aiming to win a treble this season. While the 42-year-old is focused on the German outfit, he hinted managing in the Premier League in the future is a distinct possibility, while looking ahead to their quarter-final Europa League clash against West Ham on Thursday.

When asked about returning to England, this time as a manager, the former Liverpool midfielder replied: "You never know - at the moment I have enough on my plate to think about, but I'm still young as a coach and for sure it's a nice one (thought). I speak regularly with some colleagues who coach in the Premier League and they know that each game is really tough to prepare and to play. It's a very exciting competition with so many great players, coaches, great clubs, stadiums - and West Ham is one of them. We are facing them tomorrow (Thursday) with great respect but with great excitement that we have a great chance to go through and keep going in a great season as well."

Alonso's side are unbeaten in 41 games in all competitions this season and could clinch their first ever Bundesliga title this weekend. They are in the last eight of the Europa League and the final of the DFB-Pokal as they aim for an historic treble. If Alonso continues to be a success at Leverkusen, there is no doubt the world's biggest clubs will come calling for him again.

After the first leg of their quarter-final tie against the Hammers, which is at the BayArena, Leverkusen host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Sunday. A win this weekend, or Bayern dropping points against Cologne on Saturday, would secure them the league title.