The Spanish coach is seen as favourite to take over at the La Liga club amid speculation about Carlo Ancelotti's future with Real but is keeping focused on his current work at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso told Movistar: "I'm very calm, I'm focused on what I have to do.

"I have enough things to worry about. Right now that's what's in my head. This is the time now to work with Leverkusen, with the team, with all the challenges we have, and I'm very happy."

The former Real Madrid player explained that he doesn't want to set long-term goals for his managerial career as he is occupied with his Leverkusen role.

He said: "Thinking in the long term in football just means worrying about things.

"I have to focus on the short term, which is Atleti, then we go to Leipzig [in the Bundesliga], I have enough."

Leverkusen take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (21.01.25) and Alonso knows victory would leave his side in prime position for a top-eight finish in the league phase and automatic progression to the last 16.

The coach said: "We want to be in the top eight. That's our short-term goal. We're close, but not that close. We have to fight for it and winning is fundamental for us... but for them too.

"We have to wait and see how things develop. If we don't score, it will be more difficult. We need to give our best and fight for the win at any cost because we have a great chance in front of us."