Liverpool in 'advanced talks' with Xabi Alonso claims shock German report

Liverpool are in “advanced talks” with Xabi Alonso over becoming their new manager, according to a shock report from Germany. 

The Bayer Leverkusen coach has led his side to the summit of the Bundesliga, where they lead Bayern Munich by eight points. 

They emerged comprehensive victors in their recent German league clash against the Bavarians with Thomas Tuchel’s side now facing the prospect of a first trophyless season in 12 years. 

Tuchel will leave Bayern by mutual agreement at the end of the season and the club - like Liverpool are now seeking a new appointment. 

Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to step down as Reds boss back in January, citing fatigue, as he believed he did not have the energy to keep going for another season. 

The 56-year-old is widely expected to take a break from coaching and recently anointed Alonso as the “standout” coach of his generation. 

The Spain World Cup winner is the hottest coaching property in world football right now with not only Liverpool but also Bayern having aspirations to sign him. 

Bayern compile list of alternative candidates

And now a German report claims that Alonso is in advanced talks with Liverpool, the club he represented as a player between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League and FA Cup among other honours. 

While Bayern also featured Alonso as a player - from 2014 to 2017 under Pep Guardiola - they are now looking elsewhere for new coaching solutions. 

Georg Holzner, Kicker’s Bayern reporter, says that there are whispers from England that Alonso is already in advanced talks with his former employers on Merseyside and Bayern have compiled a list of alternatives. 

Zinedine Zidane, Hansi Flick, Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness - as well as Aston Villa boss Unai Emery - are said to be among the candidates for the upcoming vacant position at the Allianz Arena. 

Furthermore, the journalist adds that Bayern have not given up hope on signing Alonso as their new manager, nor is the possibility of remaining in Leverkusen being ruled out. 

Alonso is under contract at the BayArena until 2026, having been initially signed in October 2022 with the club mired in the relegation zone, and his team are said to be optimistic of making him see out his terms. 

"Coach search at FC Bayern," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “In England, we found out that there is whispering that Xabi Alonso is already in advanced talks with Liverpool and that staying in Leverkusen is far from being ruled out. But Bayern will give everything. 

"In addition to Zinedine Zidane, Hansi Flick and Sebastian Hoeness, Unai Emery from Aston Villa is also being watched. He is well known to Bayern after he and Villarreal knocked Munich out of the Champions League two years ago."