Alonso's 'clear preference' revealed as Liverpool and Bayern battle for new manager

Xabi Alonso has a ‘clear preference’ for Liverpool, according to a report in France, with the Anfield club far more stable than the other major candidates for his signature, Bayern Munich. 

Jurgen Klopp stunned the football world back in January when he revealed he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. 

Talk immediately turned to the 56-year-old’s successor with former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso installed as the early frontrunner. 

His work with Bayer Leverkusen has been noted by top clubs all around Europe with the BayArena side eight points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga. 

With Bayern’s season falling apart, they took the decision to part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season. 

It means that FC Hollywood too are in the market for a new boss with club higher-ups keen on adding Alonso. 

He played at the Allianz Arena for three seasons before announcing his retirement from playing in 2017. 

Alonso is the most in-demand coach in the European game currently and should have the pick of the jobs this summer should he decide to quit Leverkusen. 

Club bosses are optimistic of holding the 42-year-old to his contract, which expires in 2026, but will have a job on their hands holding off interest in him at the end of the season. 

Advantage Liverpool in Alonso chase

Foot Mercato is reporting that Alonso now favours a move back to Anfield, where he won the Champions League as a player in 2005, with Bayern a distant second in his thinking. 

It is claimed that Alonso is enthused about succeeding Klopp, a manager who has led Liverpool to every major honour during his near nine-year spell in the hot seat. 

Although Liverpool have some major restructuring ahead, including a new sporting director and a full, new backroom team, that is seen as preferable to the institutional chaos engulfing Bayern. 

The German record champions will appoint a new sporting director in the shape of Max Eberl this week but there is significant work needed by whoever comes in as new manager in order to put Bayern back on their perch. 

That means it’s advantage Liverpool in appointing Xabi Alonso as their new manager.