Xabi Alonso is a man in demand with Liverpool and Bayern Munich both interested in appointing the Bayer Leverkusen boss this summer – but he does have one preference

Xabi Alonso is more ‘likely’ to chose Bayern Munich over Liverpool if he decides to depart Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The Spaniard is wanted by the Reds to replace Jurgen Klopp while Bayern are also eying him up with Thomas Tuchel set to leave at the end of the season.

Alonso’s Leverkusen sit top of the Bundesliga table, 10 points clear of second-place Bayern and are unbeaten in 38 matches this season.

Alonso played for both Liverpool and Bayern during his storied playing career and the temptation to return is obvious, though he could stay at Leverkusen and lead them into the Champions League. However, if he does choose to leave BayArena, then Bayern have a better chance of securing his services for next term.

According to Sky Germany, Bayern are ‘optimistic’ about luring Alonso over to the Allianz Arena, despite being yet to enter negotiations. The report also revealed Alonso would ‘likely’ move to Bayern instead of Liverpool if he decides to leave Leverkusen. The 42-year-old still has over two years to run on his current contract.

Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness delivered his thoughts on their potential pursuit of Alonso and hinted that he is their first-choice candidate to replace Tuchel this summer. At a Munich Trade Fair, the 72-year-old said: “He [Alonso] has proved that he can be a coach for the big time.

“There are hardly any suitable coaches who are currently free. Rather they are coaches who are under contract somewhere and possibly have great success.

“And that makes it much more difficult because clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are working on it [securing Alonso]. It’s not so easy to tell them that Bayern is the measure of all things.”

Alonso is on the verge of leading Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title. They require just 15 points from their remaining eight matches to get over the line and the north Germany side also face West Ham in the quarter-final of the Europa League next month.

Promoted Stories

Xabi Alonso is wanted man due to his exploits with Bayer Leverkusen (
Image:
Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)
The former Liverpool and Bayern midfielder has done an excellent job at Leverkusen since joining the club in October 2022 – winning 50 of his 75 games in charge – and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky admitted on Thursday no-one would begrudge Alonso a move should he decide to leave.

“No-one would be angry or argue if he wins the Bundesliga and decides to go another route,” Hradecky said. “We see it daily that he loves to be in Leverkusen. He enjoys Dusseldorf where he lives. But if you look at it from another point of view: How can you make it better than this season?

“We have built something that’s worth a trophy. I hope it comes. Football is cruel sometimes, you don’t want Bayern breathing down your necks but hopefully the platform we have created is enough. We’re getting closer. That’s the mission. We have to keep believing. We are getting closer to our dream and I hope it happens.

“For Xabi, there is a lot to ponder but he’s enough of a gentleman to make the right decision and only he knows what’s best for him.”