Alonso in 'advanced Liverpool talks' as Bayern eye shock alternative

Tom Weber

• Updated: 21 Feb 2024 19:29 GMT
• 3 min read

Unai Emery is on Bayern Munich's list of Xabi Alonso alternatives as Liverpool close in on the Spaniard, according to German media.

The managerial merry-go-round is seemingly already in full swing. After Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, Thomas Tuchel and Bayern have now announced that they will also part ways in June.

This has led to some problems as both European giants consider Xabi Alonso as the ideal replacement for their parting coaches. The Basque boss has done a stellar job at Bayer Leverkusen and is on course to lead them to their first-ever Bundesliga title.

In the battle between Alonso's former sides, it seems Liverpool have the upper hand. At least that's according to Georg Holzner of the usually very reliable German football magazine Kicker. He asserts that the Reds are "already in advanced talks with Alonso."

However, that does not mean that the 42-year-old will definitely move to Anfield in the summer. On the contrary, Holzner also reports that "remaining at Bayer Leverkusen is far from off the table."

Bayern's alternatives

Intriguingly, Holzner also lists Bayern Munich's potential alternatives should they fail to land the Leverkusen head coach. In recent days, it has become clear that the Bavarians are admirers of Zinedine Zidane and Sebastian Hoeneß, the nephew of long-time Bayern chief Uli Hoeneß.

A new name revealed by the journalist is Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery, who masterminded Bayern's premature Champions League exit while in charge of Villarreal two years ago. A fellow Basque like Alonso, the 52-year-old has Villa in a very impressive fourth place in the Premier League right now.

According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, former Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is an interim option for Bayern should they feel the need to pull the trigger on Tuchel and sack him before the end of the season. The Norwegian would be open to signing a short-term deal with the Bundesliga behemoth.