³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso said he had "nothing new to say" amid speculation linking him with his former clubs Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Liverpool are searching for a manager after Jurgen Klopp announced he will leave them at the end of the season.

Bayern and Thomas Tuchel have also decided to part ways when the current campaign finishes.

"Maybe you have questions about my future," said Alonso before his side's game against Mainz on Friday.

"I have nothing new to say about that. I wanted to say that in advance.

"Right now I'm the coach here, that's for sure. For the future I have nothing new to say, we'll see."

Alonso spent five seasons with Liverpool from 2004 to 2009 and won the Champions League, FA Cup and Super Cup during that playing stint on Merseyside, prior to successful spells at Real Madrid and Bayern.

He won the Bundesliga with Bayern three times during his stint with them from 2014 to 2017.

The former midfielder took over at Leverkusen in 2022 and they are unbeaten in all competitions this season. They lead the Bundesliga, are through to the German Cup semi-finals and have booked a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Alonso's side recently beat second-placed Bayern 3-0 and they held an eight-point lead over their closest title rivals ahead of the game against Mainz.

The former World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain is said to be Bayern's preferred option to succeed Tuchel, while Liverpool have also been linked with him.

Klopp recently said Alonso was doing "an incredible job" and described the 42-year-old as a "standout" of the new generation of football managers.

"For me this [speculation] is not a problem," said Alonso, whose contract at Leverkusen runs until 2026. "I know that my goal is to be successful with my team. That is my job.

"We are currently in a good position and we want to keep at it.

"It is normal to have questions but it is not an issue for me."