Simon Rolfes is ‘absolutely happy’ at Bayer Leverkusen as the director seemingly rules out the prospect of following Xabi Alonso to Premier League giants Liverpool.
Much has been made – understandably – of Liverpool’s pursuit of a new head coach, Jurgen Klopp confirming that his superb, nearly decade-long spell in charge of the Anfield outfit will come to an end in the summer.
But with Jorg Schmadtke also on his way out the door, Liverpool will need not only a manager but a sporting director too during a summer of real change on the red side of Stanley Park.
HITC Football understands that the Merseysiders have identified Xabi Alonso as their top target for a place in the dugout. The Spaniard’s Leverkusen boss appears to have ruled out the prospect of joining him in England’s north west, however, Rolfes insisting that he will stay at the Bundesliga leaders even in what could be a post-Alonso era.
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“The fact that there is a lot of speculation about Bayer 04’s protagonists due to our current successes is part of the business. But that doesn’t change my direction,” Rolfes, the 42-year-old former Germany international, tells Kicker.
“It’s not without reason that I only extended my contract in the autumn. I’m absolutely happy at Leverkusen, in this constellation.”
Rolfes has been working behind the scenes at the Bay Arena since 2018, starting out as the academy manager before climbing his way up the ladder and being appointed as the club’s managing director of sport.
He has helped construct one of the most impressive clubs in European football, a Leverkusen side full of rising stars and bargain buys moving eight points clear of a beleaguered Bayern Munich as they hunt down their first ever Bundesliga title.
Jurgen Klopp and Jorg Schmadtke are both leaving Anfield
According to The Athletic, Liverpool are currently prioritising AC Milan’s Frederic Massara and the highly-rated Nice chief Florent Ghisolfi as they look to move on from Schmadtke.
In terms of a new head coach, The Reds are huge admirers of Alonso but also like Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi. Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou have been mentioned too, while a former Liverpool ace has also thrown Edin Terzic’s name into the frame.
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