Bayern Munich have stolen a march on Liverpool in the race for Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso which backs up reports from Germany.
It was reported this week by Sky Germany that Bayern Munich have opened discussions with Alonso and that the Bundesliga champions have received positive signals from their former player over replacing Thomas Tuchel next season.
The Leverkusen coach is the German giants’ preferred candidate and they are said to be cautiously optimistic that Alonso will move to Munich.
Reports in England have now backed this up as The Telegraph’s Jason Burt reports Bayern Munich are ahead of Liverpool in the race to appoint Alonso as their new head coach.
Liverpool have two alternatives to Xabi Alonso
A big reason why Liverpool are behind in the race is the fact that the Reds are still searching for a sporting director. The Merseyside club need to have someone in place before making the huge decision as they will work closely together over the coming years.
The Telegraph says that Liverpool are by no means out of the race for Alonso but they are behind, while there is also the possibility that that the Spanish coach stays in Leverkusen.
Should Liverpool fail to land their former midfield star, the report says that the Premier League club have identified Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim as alternatives.
Nagelsmann will be a free agent once he leaves the German national team this summer following the Euros and Amorim is still in contract with Sporting CP, but if he wins the Portuguese League this season that would be an incredible way to bow out.
There is still a long way to go before Liverpool appoint Jurgen Klopp’s successor but whoever takes over at Anfield next season, fans of the Reds can be sure it will be a top-class coach.