Bayern Munich planning bizarre approach for Manchester United flop - as part of long-term goal of securing Jurgen Klopp: report

A detailed view of the Bayern Munich club badge on a corner flag prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern Munchen and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bayern Munich have devised a plan to appoint Jurgen Klopp as their manager in the future, and it involves a Manchester United flop.

With Thomas Tuchel mutually agreeing to depart the club at the end of the season despite the fact Bayern could still finish as Champions League winners, potentially replacements have started to be sounded out. 

Bayern are reportedly contemplating a bizarre appoach for one boss, though, as part of a significant long-term plan. 

Thomas Tuchel, head coach if FC bayern München smiles prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Tuchel will leave Bayern at the end of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to German outlet Kicker, Bayern are considering appointing Ralf Rangnick as interim manager for the 2024/25 season, with a view to making Jurgen Klopp their permanent boss in a year's time. 

The decision comes after Klopp made his intention to take a year out of football to recharge after his nine years at Liverpool extremely clear. Xabi Alonso is also a potential appointment from 2025/26, after the Spaniard decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for at least another year. 

Bayern had originally wanted to get Julian Nagelsmann back at the club after Euro 2024, but he instead signed a contract extension with the German national team

Ralf Rangnick Manchester United interim manager Bayern Munich

Rangnick struggled during his time at United (Image credit: Mike Egerton)

And while Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly in the running to become the new manager, it seems like the club has settled on bringing Ralf Rangnick - who currently manages Austria - to the club. That's despite his disastrous tenure in temporary charge of Manchester United in the 2021/22 season, with the German seen as an ideal stopgap while they attempt to convince Klopp to take over at the Allianz Arena. 

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl indicated that a decision on the club's next manager should be made by the end of April, too, meaning there's not long before a conclusion is drawn.

In FourFourTwo's view, waiting for Klopp or Alonso by appointing Rangnick does seem a possibility, especially considering the derth of top-level coaches in modern football at the moment. There's no guarantee that either manager would agree to the job in the future, though, so a more permanent option seems much more likely at this stage.

More Bayern Munich stories 

Bayer Leverkusen win first-ever Bundesliga title: what Xabi Alonso's men could still achieve after ending Bayern Munich dominance in Germany

Thomas Tuchel 'very sad' as Bayern Munich lose key player to injury ahead of Arsenal clash

Harry Kane has unlocked a new weapon ahead of England's Euro 2024 tilt

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

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