Liverpool and Bayern Munich are both eyeing Xabi Alonso for the managerial role next season. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the European giants have expressed interest in appointing him for the coaching job for the 2024-25 season.
With Jurgen Klopp confirmed to leave Anfield this summer, the Reds are actively looking for a replacement. Alonso, their former player, is on their viewfinder as the Spaniard has done a terrific job at Bayer Leverkusen.
Since taking charge in 2022, he guided Die Werkself from the relegation zone to a sixth-place finish, last season. Now, he’s on course to leading them to their first-ever Bundesliga title as Leverkusen are eight points clear of Bayern at the top with only 12 games remaining in the campaign.
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This obviously hasn’t gone unnoticed with the Bavarians, whose 11-year reign as the German champions is heading to an end. Head coach Thomas Tuchel has overseen a disappointing campaign, having also lost the German Supercup and the DFB-Pokal already. As the league also increasingly seems like a losing game now, the former Borussia Dortmund manager has decided to leave at the end of the ongoing campaign.
According to reports emerging from Germany, Alonso is being eyed by Bayern too. The 42-year-old is no stranger to them, having played the last three years of his professional career in Munich. But more importantly, it’s his side’s convincing victory over the champions that must have fueled the interest. On 10 February, Leverkusen comprehensively beat Bayern 3-0 at home, as goals from Josip Stanisic, Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong humbled the holders.
Bayern’s title hopes were dealt a huge blow, before a second consecutive league defeat, this time to Bochum, put further daylight between them and the runaway leaders.
With such high interest in him, Leverkusen might find it hard to keep Alonso beyond this season. Although there’s no release clause in his contract right now, Romano further reported that Alonso could be allowed to leave should he decide to take on a new role.
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