Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso insists he won't be 'pushed to take other people's decision' amid Real Madrid links

Los Blancos have been associated with several elite coaches in the past few months to take over the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu with current manager Carlo Ancelotti's contract expiring in the summer of 2024. Alonso happens to be one of the frontrunners to succeed the Italian at the Spanish capital but the former Madrid midfielder is in no hurry to leap Bay Arena to one of the most sought-after managerial roles in the world.

Speaking to The Guardian, Alonso said: "It depends on if you want to be pushed to take other people’s decisions. or if you want to make your own decisions. And so far I’ve been clear. I will make my own decisions when I feel it is the right moment for whatever. So that’s going to happen for sure.”

Ancelotti himself had hailed Alonso for his tactical acumen earlier this season, but the former midfielder had repeatedly downplayed talks of managing Madrid in the future. Not only the Spanish giants but Liverpool and Bayern Munich have also been linked with Alonso to succeed Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel respectively. It was even rumoured that there happens to be an exit clause in his contract that would allow him to seek a fresh challenge if any of his former clubs came calling, but Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro brushed aside those speculations.

Alonso has been silently waging a cultural and sporting revolution at Leverkusen which sees the club atop the Bundesliga standings with 35 points from 13 matches, three points ahead of the reigning champions Bayern Munich. They will be back in action on Sunday against VFB Stuttgart in their next Bundesliga fixture away from home.