Bayern Munich 'set to sack Thomas Tuchel' to steal march on Liverpool in Xabi Alonso race

Posted Friday, February 16, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

The race is on to land one of the hottest managers on the market, with Liverpool set to face stiff competition for Xabi Alonso's signature from another of his old clubs, Bayern Munich

The Anfield homecoming everyone's been expecting this summer may not be so straightforward after all.

Following a torrent of reports suggesting Xabi Alonso is the heir apparent to Jurgen Klopp this summer, Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to thrown their hat in the ring. And it will come at the expense of incumbent Thomas Tuchel, who's struggled to meet expectations at the Allianz Arena.

The Times reported Bayern "want to get the jump on Liverpool" in pursuit of Alonso, who has outdone himself thus far as Bayer Leverkusen boss. Die Werkself are five points clear at the Bundesliga summit after battering Tuchel's men 3-0 last Saturday, with Alonso excelling in his first full season as a first-team manager.

The 42-year-old - who made 210 appearances for the Reds and was part of the famed 2005 Champions League-winning side - first took over at the BayArena in October 2022. Leverkusen finished sixth in the league that season and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, but it looks as though those levels will be topped by a wide margin one year on.

Former Chelsea chief Tuchel, on the other hand, looks increasingly likely to lose his job as Bayern face the prospect of a first trophy-less finish since 2012. Die Roten were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by third-tier Saarbrucken in November, while they trail Lazio 1-0 following the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash.

Klopp, 56, stunned Liverpool's fan base after announcing in January that his Anfield reign will come to an end this summer. The former Borussia Dortmund boss has a contract on Merseyside until the summer of 2026 but is due to part ways early after struggling with fatigue in the role.

As fate would have it, Alonso's current contract is also due to run out in 2026. Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro clarified in November that there's no clause in the manager's deal allowing him to leave early but also suggested the club wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to exit.

Alonso spent five seasons with Liverpool and celebrated some of the best days of his playing career in England. However, he ended his career in Bavaria, and the powers-that-be at Bayern will be looking to use that sway to ensure their current rival boss remains in Germany beyond the end of this season.