Bayer Leverkusen reject Bayern Munich's bid to recall Josip Stanisic

However, it appears that this decision might prove costly, given Bayern's current defensive predicament, with most of their backline players battling injuries. The idea of bringing Stanisic back in January was considered, but it was met with a firm rejection from two prominent figures at Leverkusen.

Leverkusen's head coach, Xabi Alonso, made it clear that Stanisic's return to Bayern was not on the table. He emphasized, "We still have many months until May. He has the experience, he has the quality. We need top players in every position. Josip can play in several positions. We are very happy with him, with his attitude every day."

Alonso went on to explain the club's summer strategy, stating, "We had a clear idea in the summer of how the squad should be structured. We wanted to be competitive in all competitions by December. We need two players who have a good level for almost every position. I told the players that everyone will have the chance to play. That's the reality. In the future, when we have some injuries, we will need more high-level players."

The rejection of Stanisic's recall wasn't limited to the coaching staff. Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, left no room for doubt in an interview with BILD, asserting, "The rumour is not true. There was no contact with Bayern regarding that. It is clear that Josip will stay with us until the summer."

This development comes at a time when Bayern are grappling with a shortage of fit defenders, putting their depth to the test. Stanisic's loan spell was meant to facilitate his growth and give him playing time, but it seems the rising star's services will remain firmly with Leverkusen for the foreseeable future, as they are keen on retaining a versatile player who can operate in multiple positions.

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