Xabi Alonso breaks silence on links to Premier League jobs as Tottenham eye him to replace Conte
TOTTENHAM target Xabi Alonso says he is “100 per cent” focused on managing Bayer Leverkusen next season.
The former Liverpool midfielder, 41, is one of the candidates Spurs are considering to be the permanent successor to Antonio Conte.
Alonso has been a huge hit since taking over at struggling Leverkusen in October, taking them up to sixth in the Bundesliga and into the Europa League semi-finals.
And he suggested that he does not yet feel his time is up with the German side as he addressed reports of Tottenham’s interest in him.
The Spaniard, who began his coaching career with Real Sociedad’s B side, said: “I’ve been in football for many years, rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve.
“That’s why my head is 100 per cent here for the last few months.
“And my head is also 100 per cent here for next season.”
Spurs have been searching for a new boss since Conte departed in March.
But they look set to finish the campaign with an interim head coach.
That had originally been Cristian Stellini’s – Conte’s No2 – until he was sacked following the 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle and Ryan Mason was put in caretaker charge.
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Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany are all among the contenders Daniel Levy is assessing.
Meanwhile, Spurs could lose whizkid midfielder Romaine Mundle on a free transfer this summer.
Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Standard Liege are among those keen to sign the 20-year-old, who has been on Spurs’ bench a number of times this season but is yet to make his first-team debut.