Xabi Alonso: Bayern chief names 4 clubs working on deal

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness understands there are four clubs working on a deal to sign Xabi Alonso. Liverpool are among them, of course.

Xabi Alonso is the most in-demand manager on the planet right now - and understandably so. He's got Bayer Leverkusen sitting at the top of the Bundesliga, well clear of Bayern Munich and on course to being the first non-Bayern team to win the title since 2012.

The last manager to do that? Jurgen Klopp with his Borussia Dortmund side. Not a bad parallel, then.

But that's really underselling it. Leverkusen haven't lost a match all season - not just in the Bundesliga but in any competition. It's a remarkable streak and one that has seen interest in Alonso skyrocket this year.

The interest in Xabi Alonso

Liverpool, of course, need a new manager to replace Jurgen Klopp, who steps down at the end of the season. Bayern Munich are in a similar position - Thomas Tuchel will leave once this campaign is finished.

Both want Alonso, while Bayer Leverkusen are desperate to hang on to him. But these aren't the only three clubs after the Spaniard, as Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness knows.

"Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are working on [deals]," Hoeness told Ran Sport.

"He's proven that he can be a coach for the big time. There are hardly any coaches who come into question who are currently free, who don't have a job or who are on sabbatical.

"It's not so easy to tell them that FC Bayern is the measure of all things."

Real Madrid are an interesting team here. Carlo Ancelotti isn't leaving this summer, so there is no vacancy.

However, it's expected he will depart in a year, meaning the job at Real opens up in 2025. That could tempt Alonso into staying with Leverkusen for another year.

His current team could almost want him to take the Real job, then, as it secures them an extra year with him. That's something that almost works against Liverpool and Bayern in the race - Alonso could almost have his cake and eat it if he picks Real.

But time will tell. Alonso is still early into his managerial career and no decision he makes this year sees him pick a club for life. Liverpool are firmly in the race here.