Bayern Munich have opened talks with Xabi Alonso about the possibility of replacing Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.
Alonso is expected to be in hot demand at the end of the season, with his Leverkusen side still unbeaten as they close in on the Bundesliga title. Both Liverpool and Bayern keen on the Spaniard.
Bayern are already searching for their next head coach after it was announced Tuchel would depart in the summer and discussions are now ongoing with Alonso.
Alonso has been highlighted by Bayern as the club’s preferred candidate to replace Tuchel – who has watched his side fall 10 points adrift of Alonso’s Leverkusen in the league standings.
Leverkusen look set to end Munich’s 12-year stranglehold on the German top-flight title and secure a first Bundesliga crown having starred under Alonso’s guidance.
Alonso previously starred for Bayern as a player after leaving Real Madrid and the 42-year-old has given ‘positive signals’ that he would be keen on joining the club in the summer.
However, his exit is expected to cost Germany’s most decorated club between £13m and £21m due to a fixed clause in his contract at Leverkusen.
Alonso’s existing deal at the league leaders currently runs until the summer of 2026.
The news comes as a huge blow to Liverpool who are also keeping tabs on Alonso as a potential successor to legendary Reds manager Jurgen 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 been linked with the upcoming vacancy ever since.
Alonso won the Champions League as an Anfield star in 2005 and has always maintained a close affinity with fans of the club.
Klopp previously heaped praise on Alonso, stating: ‘Xabi is doing an incredible job,’ acknowledged Klopp, who leaves at the end of the season.
‘The ‘dinosaurs’ like Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola and myself will not do it for 20 more years but the next generation is already there. I would say Xabi is stand-out in that department.
‘He was a world-class player, like a coach already, and the team he has set up is exceptional. Not only the points tally but the way they play.’