Liverpool goal Xabi Alonso is the popular candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel as Bayern Munich confirmed they may half methods with the supervisor this summer time – whereas they’re additionally Zinedine Zidane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The stress elevated on Tuchel following Bayern’s 3-2 loss at Bochum on Sunday which leaves the German staff eight factors behind Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
It was additionally Bayern’s third in a row after they had been overwhelmed 1-0 at Lazio within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie final week.
Going through a primary trophyless season in 12 years, Bayern’s major plan was to succeed in the tip of the marketing campaign with Tuchel and truthfully assess the state of affairs, however they introduced on Wednesday that the previous Chelsea boss will depart the membership on the finish of the season.
“We have agreed that we will end our working relationship at the end of this season,” mentioned Tuchel.
“Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my coaching staff to achieve maximum success.”
Sky Germany’s Felix Fischer mentioned: “It is lots of stress. The bosses are game-to-game and watching actually carefully, in addition to a watch on how Tuchel is presenting himself and the way the staff is taking part in.
“They didn’t expect the defeat to Bochum at all and now they have a closer look at how the team performs against Leipzig in Munich on Saturday night.
“It might be a do-or-die sport for Tuchel. The bosses need to end the season with him as a coach, however we all know they’ve another coaches at the back of their thoughts.”
Work is occurring within the background concerning his potential successor and Alonso is taken into account the popular resolution internally.
The previous Liverpool midfielder is the bookmakers’ favorite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer time after impressing at Leverkusen.
Klopp has not too long ago hailed the Spaniard because the “standout” supervisor from the brand new era of bosses.
One other of probably the most outstanding candidates Bayern have been interested by too, up to now few hours and days, is ex-Actual Madrid head coach Zidane.
There may be nothing concrete at this stage, however what Bayern admire in regards to the Frenchman is his aura and expertise whereas he’s additionally instantly accessible.
The 51-year-old, who has been with no job since leaving Actual in Could 2021, received the Champions League 3 times in his managerial time on the Spanish membership, whereas he additionally led them to the LaLiga title twice.
Bayern have additionally been ex-Manchester United boss Solskjaer as a possible interim resolution ought to they be pressured to make a change earlier than the tip of the marketing campaign.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund is aware of Solskjaer very properly and has been following the Norwegian’s path for years. Nonetheless, there haven’t but been any concrete discussions about that eventuality.
Solskjaer has been with no job since being sacked by Manchester United in November 2021. He spent almost three years in cost at Previous Trafford as he guided United to second within the 2020/21 season and misplaced the 2021 Europa League ultimate on penalties to Villarreal.
The 50-year-old is at present employed as a UEFA technical observer, attending Champions League video games and offering stories all through this season.
Discussing the potential candidates, Fischer added: “It would be very difficult to get Alonso now, of course. There’s no chance because he wants to win three titles with Bayer Leverkusen. It’s not an option for now. But for the future, they really have Alonso on their mind as an ex-player and as a really good coach.
“Zidane is on the checklist, he was an enormous participant and was actually profitable as a coach already for Actual Madrid. However so far as we all know, there hasn’t been any contact but.
“The identical counts for Solskjaer. He’s a real legend of Manchester United and he grew to become a nightmare for Bayern through the Champions League ultimate in 1999.
“But the club wants to finish the season with Tuchel and to help, they have to be successful in the next weeks. Maybe they can continue the work with him, not just this season, but maybe in the next one. That’s the target but it’s a difficult target right now.”
With Bayern, Liverpool and, reportedly, Actual Madrid circling, is it inevitable Alonso will depart Bayer Leverkusen?
Fischer added: “It isn’t. One of the bosses said that he is certain Alonso will stay at the club. Those words can change, but it’s all in the hands of Alonso. He will decide which step is best for him and which he will take next.
“If he needs to stick with Leverkusen and achieve success with that membership, he’ll do this. If there may be actually an opportunity to affix Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp leaves, or Actual Madrid if Carlo Ancelotti leaves or at Bayern if Tuchel leaves, he’ll do what feels proper to him.”
Bayern may rival Liverpool for Alonso
Sky Sports activities Information senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
It’s testomony not solely to his suitability for the function, however his standing as the subsequent high supervisor that Xabi Alonso is spoken about individually within the dialogue for the Liverpool job to succeed Jurgen Klopp. There may be Xabi, after which The Others.
It’s a consequence of his small but chic physique of labor to this point; the development at Actual Sociedad B, main them again to the Segunda Division for the primary time since 1961-62 after which rapidly reworking Bayer Leverkusen right into a tactically supreme unbeaten machine.
Solely Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich have ever set a greater tempo atop the Bundesliga. Leverkusen haven’t been overwhelmed in 32 matches throughout all competitions, are within the German Cup semi-finals, and the final 16 of the Europa League. They’re on a particular run and are primed to make historical past this season.
Leverkusen play with panache and intelligence; lionising possession but additionally shifting to manage the sport with out the ball as they showcased in a 3-0 masterclass in opposition to Bayern.
There have been makes an attempt to counsel Alonso’s method jars with the extra direct and transitional qualities of Liverpool’s squad. Whereas Bayer do make use of a extra affected person build-up that’s similar to Manchester Metropolis, his Actual Sociedad B had been a lot much less geared to brief passing. Alonso has illustrated his adaptability already between these golf equipment, but additionally in opposition to totally different opponents.
He already seems like a Liverpool supervisor, and that is with out factoring in his understanding of, and bond with the membership developed throughout 5 seasons of setting the tempo of their midfield.
Alonso suits the dynamic of an thrilling, younger staff heaving with potential that can want some nips, tucks and to create a brand new story.
There are complexities; he’s nonetheless early into his Bayer mission and ideally would have mapped an extended interval of building with them. Alonso’s focus, rightly, is on crowing a implausible season with high honours.
The membership do not need to lose him, however know he can have his decide of choices – Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich will quickly be knocking too – and may determine his timing.
Liverpool wouldn’t need to do something to disrupt Alonso’s present work. He’s well worth the persistence although, and doing no matter is important to get.
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