- The Bayer Leverkusen boss has been linked with moves to Bayern and Liverpool
- Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks with Xabi Alonso
- Manchester City vs Man United is a derby in name only, we know the winner – it’s like an F1 style parade – Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks with Xabi Alonso about him becoming their new manager this summer. This would be a potential blow to Liverpool’s chances of signing him.
The 42-year-old Alonso is the most sought-after coach in the world after a hugely successful season at Bayer Leverkusen, in which he is ten points ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga title race.
Liverpool are keen for the Spaniard to succeed Jurgen Klopp, but reports from Germany indicate that Bayern – who want a replacement for Thomas Tuchel – have already held talks with him.
Sky Sport Deutschland reports this on Monday evening that the early signs were positive for Bayern and that Alonso currently prefers them to Liverpool.
Their reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that Alonso feels continuing Klopp’s successful spell at Anfield is too big a risk.
Bayern Munich have opened talks with Xabi Alonso over the possibility of becoming their next manager, with reports from Germany that the Spaniard is leaning towards them
Bayern have reportedly received ‘positive’ indications from Alonso after opening talks
Bayern want Alonso (left) to replace Thomas Tuchel (right) when he leaves this summer
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Klopp has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup during his nine years as manager at Liverpool and is adored by the red half of Merseyside.
That would certainly be a tougher legacy to follow than Tuchel’s unraveling spell at Bayern, with their season essentially hinging on Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Lazio.
Bayern trail the Italian side 1-0 from the first leg and need to make progress to keep their hopes of lifting the trophy alive.
Leverkusen looks set to end Munich’s 12-year stranglehold on the German top-flight title and secure a first Bundesliga crown after excelling under Alonso’s guidance.
Alonso previously played for Bayern as a player after leaving Real Madrid and the 42-year-old has given ‘positive signals’ that he would like to join the club in the summer.
However, his departure is expected to cost Germany’s most decorated club between £13 million and £21 million due to a fixed clause in his contract with Leverkusen.
The final cost will depend on how many trophies they win this season, with a Bundesliga treble, German Cup and UEFA Europa League among the possibilities.
In addition to moving 10 points clear at the Bundesliga summit, Leverkusen resume their Europa League campaign in the last 16 leg against Qarabag on Thursday and Fortuna will play Düsseldorf in the semi-finals of the German Cup next month.
Alonso is also one of the notable names in the frame to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Alonso played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 and has been linked with Klopp’s successor.
Alonso’s existing contract with the leader currently runs until the summer of 2026.
The news comes as a huge blow to Liverpool, who are also eyeing Alonso as a potential successor to Klopp.
Liverpool made the shock announcement in January that Klopp has decided to leave the club at the end of the season and Alonso has since been linked with the upcoming vacancy.
Alonso won the Champions League as an Anfield star in 2005 and has always had a close bond with the club’s fans.
Klopp recently praised Alonso, saying: ‘Xabi is doing a fantastic job.
‘The ‘dinosaurs’ like Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola and myself won’t do it for another twenty years, but the next generation is already here. I would say Xabi stands out in that area.
“He was a world-class player, as he was a coach, and the team he built is exceptional. It’s not just the points that count, but also the way they play.’
