Leverkusen plan to keep Xabi smiling

BAYER LEVERKUSEN never feared losing their manager Xabi Alonso to Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

- RYAN TAYLOR

And that trio of European giants can forget about appointing the Spanish coach in the foreseeable future – because in the view of the new Bundesliga champions’ sporting director Simon Rolfes, the Leverkusen fairytale is very far from finished yet.

When asked if he was ever concerned that Alonso would have his head turned, former Leverkusen and Germany star Rolfes (below) said: “No. We are always trustful and had open communication about everything.

“My feeling all the time was quite good. There has been interest in him for sure, but my feeling was always that he feels really good here.