Bayern Munich have confirmed manager Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season.
Bayern are in danger of losing their grip on the Bundesliga title this season, having won the top German top division in each of the last 11 seasons.
The German giants are eight points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and, given they are out of the DFB Pokal and behind after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Lazio, there is a real risk they could end the season without winning a trophy.
“In a good, open discussion, we came to the decision to end our working relationship by mutual agreement in the summer,” Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen confirmed.
“Our goal is to pursue a new footballing direction with a new head coach for the 2024/25 season. Until then, every individual at the club is expressly called upon to achieve the maximum possible in the Champions League and Bundesliga.
“I also explicitly hold the team accountable in this regard. In the Champions League in particular, after losing 1-0 in the first leg at Lazio, we are convinced we will reach the quarter-finals at a packed Allianz Arena with our fans behind us.”
Xabi Alonso the “preferred candidate”
According to Sky Sports, Xabi Alonso is the “preferred candidate” to replace Tuchel at the Allianz Arena because of his exploits at Leverkusen this season.
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Leverkusen are on course to win their first Bundesliga title this season and are in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal and the last 16 of the Europa League.
Alonso could be on course to record an historic season at Leverkusen and, as such, he is attracting admiring glances from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
🚨Excl. News: FC Bayern have already inquired about Xabi #Alonso! But: Alonso, 100 % focused on Leverkusen ✔️Alonso, 100 % plan A for Bayern in summer! @SkySportDE 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/yqgm3rsHe9
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 21, 2024
A return to Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp had been mooted but Bayern have now emerged as serious rivals to the Reds to lure Alonso away from the Bayarena.
Ex-Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has also been linked with the Bayern job, as well as former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
There are also reports suggesting former Juventus, Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is positioning himself for the role as well.
But it is Alonso who is believed to be the preferred candidate internally and the Spaniard is now favourite for both the Liverpool and Bayern jobs with the bookmakers.