Xabi Alonso sent huge warning over Bayern Munich job amid Liverpool links
Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has outlined a key reason why Xabi Alonso should choose Liverpool over the German giants if presented with the choice this summer.
Alonso, whose Bayer Leverkusen side currently sit top of the Bundesliga, is the frontrunner for both the Liverpool and Bayern Munich jobs at the end of the season.
With Jurgen Klopp set to depart this summer, 42-year-old Alonso was quickly identified as the Reds' leading target for to succeed their legendary boss.
Alonso is not only one of the most highly rated coaches of his generation, but a former Anfield favourite, who spent five years on Merseyside where he won the Champions League and FA Cup.
However, while reports claim Liverpool have already made contact with Alonso, they won't get a free run at their man.
Bayern Munich are set to part ways with head coach Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season after a disappointing run that has threatened to leave them trophyless for the first time in 12 years.
Reports in Germany claim the Bavarians too have made Alonso their 'plan A' to take over.
The race is now on for European football's hottest managerial prospect.
While there have already been claims that Alonso would 'prefer' Merseyside over Munich, the former midfielder has been given another nudge in the direction of Anfield by ex-Bayern boss Nagelsmann.
The 36-year-old, who is now in charge of the German national team, was sacked by Bayern in 2023 after less than two years in charge despite having a 71.4% win rate,.
He told Der Speigel of his experience with the Bundesliga giants: “I was signed by Bayern with the proviso that I would change things.
“There are clubs that give you time. Jürgen Klopp was at Liverpool for five years before he became champion there for the first time. Pep Guardiola only won the Champions League title with Manchester City after seven years. The coaches at Bayern Munich don’t get as much time to develop something.”
He added: “What is communicated to the outside world after a separation has little to do with reality. But that's how it's always been done in football, and that's how it will be for the next 30 years.
“It also doesn't help if you have a good relationship with the decision-makers. We discussed how we would deal with a worst-case scenario together. But then everything turned out differently.”
The words should serve as a message to Alonso as the young manager considers his future, with Liverpool and Bayern's track record with managers starkly different in recent years.
It is, however, not a foregone conclusion that Alonso will choose either Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen club chiefs have insisted their man will remain in his post beyond this season, while the man himself has played down speculation over his future publicly.
"Right now I’m the coach [of Leverkusen]. That's for sure," he told a press conference on Thursday. "I have nothing new to say for the future."
When asked directly whether he'll manage Leverkusen next season, Alonso replied that he was "assuming that right now".
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