Liverpool unconcerned by Bayern Munich’s interest in Xabi Alonso
Liverpool are not worried about the prospect of losing out on top managerial target Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich, 90min understands.
Both Liverpool and Bayern are on the lookout for new managers with their current bosses set to stand down at the end of the season. Jurgen Klopp confirmed his upcoming exit from Anfield in January having first come to a decision in private in November, while Thomas Tuchel’s summer departure from the Allianz Arena was announced earlier this month.
90min recently reported that leading Liverpool’s seven-man shortlist of contenders to succeed Klopp is Alonso, who is on course to lead Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title.
But Bayern are now also in the market for a manager and Alonso is the top candidate to take over in Bavaria. Despite this, sources have told 90min that Liverpool are not panicked by this rival interest and believe they are in control of the situation.
The feeling at Liverpool is if they don’t move for Alonso, it will be because they have another candidate in mind for the job instead – the Reds are hoping to appoint a new sporting director in mid-to-late March before finalising the hiring of a manager. It is seen as important the sporting director comes first, and perhaps even a different kind of structure with a series of new recruitment roles and titles.
Liverpool are known planners and would have foreseen Bayern’s interest emerging in Alonso due to the uncertainty over Tuchel in recent months. Ultimately, Liverpool don’t want to rush their process or move faster than their planned pace out of fear that another club could take one of their top contenders.
Alonso spent five years at Liverpool as a player and notably helped them win the 2005 Champions League, while he spent his final three seasons as a professional on the books at Bayern.
Along with Alonso, Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi are both high on Liverpool’s initial shortlist, which is created using data to see who will be the best fit. Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann is also admired, but the Reds are looking for a perfect fit in terms of personality and strategic thinking as well as coaching ability and there are questions as to how he would slot into their system following previous struggles at Bayern. Nagelsmann also wouldn’t be able to start work until after Euro 2024.