Jeremie Frimpong exclusive: 'We gave him a little cheer' - Defender on 'amazing' Xabi Alonso staying at Leverkusen
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ByOli Gent
Updated 11/04/2024 at 09:23 GMT+1
Jeremie Frimpong has revealed that the Bayer Leverkusen squad gave Xabi Alonso "a little cheer" in the dressing room after the Spanish manager told his side that he would stay at the Bay Arena. Alonso has reportedly been in high demand from Liverpool, who are searching for a successor to Jurgen Klopp, but he has opted to stay at the Bundesliga leaders.
Frimpong stresses importance of 'amazing guy' Alonso’s decision to stay as boss
Jeremie Frimpong has admitted that Bayer Leverkusen’s squad gave Xabi Alonso “a little cheer” when the in-demand Spaniard revealed that he would stay at the club.
Alonso had reportedly attracted significant interest from former employers Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who are both in the managerial market for replacements to departing duo Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
However, Alonso has decided to rebuff those advances, instead plumping to remain at the Bay Arena, where his unbeaten Werkself side are an astonishing 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga under his stewardship.
Right-back Frimpong, along with Alejandro Grimaldo on the other flank, has excelled in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system at wing-back, chipping in with 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
The former Celtic defender was full of admiration for his manager as he spoke exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of Leverkusen’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg against West Ham United, which will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. on Thursday.
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'There were many reasons’ – Alonso explains why he decided to stay at Leverkusen
“All the players have trusted him in how we play,” Frimpong said.
“You can see it on the pitch, how we’re always happy and like a team. The coaches he’s played under - [Carlo] Ancelotti and Pep [Guardiola] - he’s had all this experience. When you have [that], of course you’ll be good at what you do.
"[He’s a] top [person]. He’s the gaffer, but he’s amazing. Such a nice guy.
“Everyone in the locker room was really happy [when Alonso decided to stay]. We gave him a little cheer. Who wants him to leave? Look at what he’s done for Leverkusen. Hopefully this can be many more for us.”
Leverkusen are in pole position to wrap up a maiden Bundesliga title very soon, such is their lead at the German top tier’s summit, while they are also in the DFB-Pokal final, where they will face 2. Bundesliga outfit Kaiserslautern.
“Of course I’ve thought [about the Treble], but it’s going to be very difficult to win the Europa League, the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal,” Frimpong said. “It’s all high level and going to be very difficult, but who doesn’t want to win the Treble?
“You always have the ‘never give up’ mentality which is important. It’s something within our team - patience. When there’s patience, it comes.”
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