Borussia Monchengladbach star Florian Neuhaus remains sceptical over the prospect of working under Xabi Alonso, insisting that he will only talk about the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder if he is confirmed as the side's new manager.
Alonso, 39, is currently employed with the feeder side of his boyhood club, Real Sociedad.
He knows the Bundesliga well having spent three seasons in Germany with Bayern Munich, and his name has emerged as a possible replacement for the outgoing Marco Rose.
What was said?
Neuhaus, who is currently on international duty with Germany, was quizzed by reporters on Alonso in a press conference held on Tuesday.
“I only found out about that from the media," the midfielder said. "I won't believe it until the club officially announces it. Now it has been denied again. [Gladbach sporting director] Max Eberl will certainly make an excellent choice."
The bigger picture
While Alonso has been at the helm of Real Sociedad's B team since July 2019 and also had a spell coaching in the Real Madrid youth system, this would be his first job at the elite level.
He would face a strong challenge at Gladbach, who have struggled to repeat their fine 2019-20 campaign which saw them clinch Champions League qualification.
Rose will leave at the end of the season, having agreed to take over at Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and his charges are currently down in 10th place in the Bundesliga, albeit just four shy of sixth-placed Bayern Leverkusen who occupy the final Europa League spot.