Sports director Simon Rolfes of Bundesliga soccer team Bayer Leverkusen firmly expects national player Florian Wirtz to stay beyond next summer.
“Nobody needs to come because of Florian now anyway. I’ll see him with us after the European Championships,” said the 41-year-old in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”.
Wirtz has a contract with the factory club until June 30, 2027; there had recently been media reports that Liverpool FC and team manager Jürgen Klopp were interested in the offensive player.
In the case of coach Xabi Alonso, Rolfes is also confident that the Spanish world and European champion will continue to stay at Bayer. “Speculation about our players and perhaps the coach automatically arises because we are successful,” said ex-national player Rolfes, “and what do I want? Success. That’s why it doesn’t bother me. Speculation is part of business and entertainment. “
Alonso’s contract in Leverkusen runs until the summer of 2026. Most recently, the ex-Bundesliga professional from Bayern Munich was repeatedly linked to Spain’s record champions Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso has an exit clause for FC Bayern
Rolfes emphasized that he was not worried, “Xabi has extended his contract with us, he has brought his family to Germany, and his decisions in the past have always been characterized by great seriousness.”
Bayer has an excellent team with prospects and an excellent coaching team. Rolfes: “Xabi feels totally comfortable. I think he really appreciates the opportunities he has with us to work successfully.”
The former midfielder is aware that he himself could also become the focus of interested parties from home and abroad.
“I appreciate that many people have noticed our development over the past few years. But I gave Werner Wenning (chairman of the shareholders’ committee of Bayer Fußball GmbH, editor) my word that I would stay in Leverkusen,” said Rolfes, his contract also runs until 2026: “But of course I see the possibility that it will take longer than that.”