Florian Wirtz Looks Beyond Alonso for His Future at Leverkusen
German sensation Florian Wirtz isn't letting coach Xabi Alonso's potential departure from Bayer Leverkusen influence his plans. "Of course, I'd love for him to stay for a long time. But ultimately, everyone has to follow their own path, and at some point, I'll have to decide independently where I want to play," Wirtz told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Despite rumors linking Wirtz to top European clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the midfielder remains content with his present situation at Leverkusen. "I'm not too far along yet, and I'm not really thinking about my future right now. The truth is: I'm pretty satisfied with things as they are," Wirtz shared.
Alonso holds significant importance in Wirtz's journey. "I feel incredibly valued under him, I feel his trust – that's really crucial, especially as a young player. He gives me a lot of freedom on the pitch and always offers advice on what I can improve," Wirtz said about Alonso.
Rumors of Alonso joining Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti's successor in 2024 fail to sway Wirtz. His primary focus remains ensuring his happiness and growth at Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
Insights
- Contract and Current Situation: Wirtz is under a long-term contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2027. Despite interest from other clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Wirtz and Leverkusen have expressed comfort and commitment to each other.
- Interest from Other Clubs: Bayern Munich stated their interest in Wirtz but estimated the transfer chances at 10%. Real Madrid has also shown interest, but Lothar Matthaus advises Wirtz to stay at Leverkusen as long as possible.
- Coaching Situation at Leverkusen: Alonso has played a pivotal role in Wirtz's development and success at Leverkusen. While Real Madrid has expressed interest in Alonso, the Spanish head coach has shown no signs of leaving Leverkusen.
- Wirtz's Future Plans: Matthaus predicts Wirtz might stay with Leverkusen until the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Wirtz's commitment to Leverkusen stemmed from its reputation for providing opportunities to young talents.
