Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness has claimed that the German giants, Liverpool and Real Madrid all want to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next manager.
Alonso, 42, enjoyed a glittering playing career for the likes of Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real and Bayern, while also winning 114 caps for Spain.
After spending three years coaching Real Sociedad’s B team, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022 and has won 50 of his 75 games.
But this season he has taken Leverkusen to new heights as they sit top of the Bundesliga, 10 points ahead of Bayern, with the black and red hoping to end their rivals’ monopoly on the German top flight after winning it in 11 on successive campaigns.
Across 38 games in all competitions, Leverkusen remain unbeaten, with Alonso’s side still in the German Cup and Europa League, which has seen the Spaniard become a wanted man across Europe.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has claimed that Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid are all working on a deal to appoint Bayer Leverkusen’s Spanish manager Xabi Alonso
Alonso has overseen incredible progress at Leverkusen with the club top of the Bundesliga
Hoeness insisted that Alonso has proven at Leverkusen that he is good enough to coach a top club
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Bayern are looking for a new manager after they announced that Thomas Tuchel will leave this summer following a difficult campaign, while Liverpool are also on the lookout for a new boss, with Jurgen Klopp set to end his nine-year stay at Anfield .
Both clubs are keeping an eye on their former midfield key, with reports from Sky Germany claims Alonso has already had positive early talks with Bayern.
And Hoeness, who is honorary president of Bayern, claimed that his team and Liverpool are desperate for Alonso to join, also insisting that another of his former clubs, Real, are also ‘working’ on a deal .
“He (Alonso) has proved that he can be a coach for the big time,” Hoeness told the German news outlet. Running Sports.
“Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are working on it.”
Alonso’s links to Real come despite Carlo Ancelotti penning a new deal until the summer of 2026 back in December.
Whatever happens, it promises to be an exciting battle for his services, with the Reds hoping their appointment of new sporting director Richard Hughes can help them in their pursuit.
The former Bournemouth boss previously worked with Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, when he brought Andoni Iraola to the Cherries last summer.
However, any deal will not come cheap with Alonso’s compensation fee believed to be between £12.8m and £21.3m as a fixed £12m exit clause in his Leverkusen contract does not come into effect until the summer of 2025.
Alonso has become a wanted man across Europe following his fantastic exploits so far this season
Hoeness said Real Madrid are working on Alonso, despite Carlo Ancelotti signing a new deal
Despite that, Hoeness insisted potential compensation fees would not deter Bayern from any managerial candidates.
He added: ‘There are hardly any coaches who come into question who are currently unemployed, who don’t have a job or who are on sabbatical.
‘It is not so easy to tell them that FC Bayern is the goal of all things.’
Bayern return to action after the international break with a game against rivals Borussia Dortmund on March 30 as they build up to a crunch Champions League quarter-final clash with Arsenal next month.