Xabi Alonso has been linked with taking over as manager of former clubs Liverpool and Bayern Munich – the latter have now responded.
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl says that the club have not made an approach for Liverpool-linked Xabi Alonso or any other manager to take over from Thomas Tuchel.
With Jurgen Klopp on course to leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, former Reds midfielder Alonso has caught the eye of top clubs across the continent. Most recently his Bayer Leverkusen side rescued a draw from two goals down in their Europa League Round of 16 first leg against Qarabag FK to maintain their unbeaten campaign.
The Spaniard and his coaching staff could be the final piece in the puzzle if Fenway Sports Group organise the return of Michael Edwards and arrival of Richard Hughes behind the scenes, however Bayern have designs on scuppering that idea to advance their own project beyond the end of Tuchel’s reign this summer.
At this rate the German champions are on course to cede the title to Alonso’s current team, so in one fell swoop they would damage a rival as well as reignite a love affair with a man who used to play for them, as he did Liverpool.
However as this battle in the managerial market intensifies, Bayern are intent on keeping their cards close to their chest.
Prior to the Bavarians’ Bundesliga clash with Mainz 05 on Saturday, sporting director Eberl – who was linked with the same role at Anfield last summer but instead chose Munich – was asked about the new manager search.
“Of course we want the new coach to be chosen as quickly as possible, but it has to be right, there won’t be a quick fix,” he responded. “It’s about working through the priorities as quickly as possible, but at the same time – and I never tire of saying this – we also have another season to finish with Thomas.”
Not satisfied, Sky Germany’s reporter pressed further. Alluding to Alonso, he suggested: “I also have a bit of a Leverkusen heart, and there is a coach there who is also quite good. Is a coach like that worth €25m?
“It’s really not my place to talk about other coaches. It’s completely fine to ask, but we have to do our job now,” Eberl added. “Of course, it’s about finding out who the right one is and what does that cost – can we afford it? There are many facets that play a role in the search for a coach.
“No. We haven’t spoken to anyone yet. We will start conversations at some point, but respectfully. We also know that one or two candidates have a different club with us. It’s not an easy search,” he ultimately admitted.
