Bayern Munich 'would love' top European manager to replace Thomas Tuchel - and it's not Xabi Alonso: report

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during his side's 3-1 loss to Mainz in April 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bayern Munich have identified a manager they "would love" to take charge of the club in the summer, and it isn't Xabi Alonso. 

On Wednesday, Bayern Munich confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will depart the club at the end of the season, with it looking more likely they'll end up without any silverware at all.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has since emerged as the favourite to take over at the Allianz Arena, despite speculation suggesting Liverpool are also interested in acquiring his services once Jurgen Klopp leaves the club. 

Bayern Munich and Liverpool target Head coach, Xabi Alonso of Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Voith-Arena on February 17, 2024 in Heidenheim, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)

Alonso is leading the race for both the Bayern and Liverpool jobs (Image credit: Getty Images)

And while Bayern are keen on the Spaniard, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard believes their preference would be Klopp, if timings were right.

Hatchard told Sky Sports that Bayern would jump at the chance to replace Thomas Tuchel with Klopp in the summer, despite their obvious links with Alonso in the past few days and weeks. He does, however, acknowledge that this scenario simply won't happen.

"Looking at the situation, Klopp certainly won't go to Bayern," Hatchard said. "Bayern would love Klopp, he's been on their radar for a long time, but it's completely unrealistic for this summer. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is wanted by Bayern Munich

Klopp will stick to having a year out of football (Image credit: Getty Images)

"There's no way he leaves Liverpool and immediately jumps into another job, because that invalidates everything he said about his reasons for leaving Liverpool."

Indeed, Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke confirmed to Sky Sports on Wednesday that the German boss is committed to taking a year away from football, with no lucrative offer set to change his mind. 

"Jurgen Klopp will not be managing a club or a national team for a year after this season," Kosicke said. "This is how it stays."

More Bayern Munich stories 

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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.