Fabregas still in contention for Bundesliga job: ‘No candidate has turned us down’ | OneFootball

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas is still in contention to take over from Xabi Alonso as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen according to reports in Germany, despite recent claims that he has decided to stay on in Serie A.

Fabregas has been linked with a move to take over at Bayer Leverkusen from Xabi Alonso, who is expected to be announced as the successor to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in the near future.

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder has been dubbed the frontrunner for the Leverkusen job by various outlets in recent weeks, with former Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag seen as one of the alternative options.

Leverkusen chief claims Fabregas still in the running to replace Alonso

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Reports from Sky Sport Italia earlier this week claimed that Fabregas had decided to stay on with Como, and that he could be given increased responsibilities on the transfer market and in other areas of the club.

However, Leverkusen’s managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, claims that “no candidate has turned us down in any of this process” of hiring a new head coach, according to updates from Sky Sport DE pundit Florian Plettenberg.

Rolfes also claims that: “I believe that we will wrap this up in May and that we’re in the final stages. It will definitely happen in May.”

Plettenberg adds that Fabregas remains Leverkusen’s first choice for their vacant head coach position, that the Bundesliga outfit are still in negotiations with Como, and that ten Hag is still the alternative option.

What Fabregas says about his future

COMO, ITALY – MAY 10: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on May 10, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Fabregas has not denied the fact that he has spoken to ‘other clubs’ in the past, and admitted that he is ‘respectful’ and that he ‘speaks to everyone’ during his most recent pre-match press conference.

He did add that he is ‘happy’ and that ‘there is to be an official announcement’ in the near future.

“I talked to the club, we made progress, I am happy here. I want to understand if everyone wants to continue like this and they are all aligned with my ideas. I also spoke to other clubs, I am respectful and speak to everyone,” Fabregas said ahead of Sunday’s game against Hellas Verona.

He added: “There is to be an official announcement, I am happy, we all need to be on the same page to continue together.”