Xabi Alonso has hit back at Paul Merson after the Arsenal legend claimed he may live to regret snubbing Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Alonso was heavily linked with both the Liverpool and Bayern jobs, which are set to become vacant at the end of the season, but has decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen after guiding them to their first ever Bundesliga title.
Many pundits have been left surprised by Alonso's decision, including Merson who suggested such opportunities "might never come again" for the Spain World Cup winner. However, when Merson's comments were put to Alonso, he said he is "convinced" staying at Leverkusen is the right decision.
"Everyone is responsible for their own decisions," Alonso told AS, as per Sport Witness. "I hope my decision to stay is the right one, I'm convinced it will be the right one. I'm enjoying the moment and, of course, I want to keep improving. Paul Merson will have made decisions that I don't value, mine is this."
Speaking last month, Merson told Sky Sports: "You've got to make hay while the sun shines in management, and you're talking about two of the biggest jobs in world football. They might never come again.
"I don't see Bayer Leverkusen winning the league again next year, I think Bayern the juggernaut will continue where they've been the last 10 years. I'm shocked. I can understand he's probably happy what he's doing, he's getting great accolades and rightly so, but these come along once in a blue moon.
"I just hope he doesn't regret this. I know what management's like, everyone gets the sack in the end. They're two of the biggest jobs in the world of football."
Reflecting on the season so far, with Leverkusen hoping to complete a treble by also winning the Europa League and the German Cup, Alonso added: "I am very happy with the follow up we are getting from Spain.
"The season has been fantastic, not only because of the results but because of the way of playing. That attracts in Spain and also in many parts of Europe. It makes the club grow and have a more global following.
"It's important for everyone. Being part of this and having participated in the process makes me happy. But we don't want to stop."
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