BAYERN MUNICH are prepared to play the long-game as they wait to employ either Jurgen Klopp or Xabi Alonso, according to reports in Germany.
Both managers will be unavailable for at least a year, despite Bayern seeing them as the perfect candidates for the hot seat in Munich.
Klopp is expected to take a sabbatical after stepping down as Liverpool coach saying he is “running out of energy”.
Alonso, meanwhile, wants to stay at Leverkusen for at least another year after winning the Bundesliga at Bayer.
Kicker report that a manager could be appointed in the interim until one of these men becomes available.
But whether Klopp, who managed Borussia Dortmund between 2008 and 2015, would ever take a job at his former club’s fierce rivals remains to be seen.
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Kicker claim that Bayern have gone off the idea of appointing a big name in Zinedine Zidane or project manager in Roberto De Zerbi in favour of waiting for Klopp or Alonso.
Names mentioned for interim manager include Lucien Favre and former boss Hansi Flick.
But a more permanent alternative could be former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick according to Bild.
The Austria boss confirmed that talks have been held.
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He told 90Minuten: “Bayern have made contact with me and I informed the Austrian Federation about it.
“My focus now is on Austria and the Euros.
“If Bayern will tell me: we want you… then I have to ask myself: do I want this at all?”
Rangnick had an unsuccessful stint as United manager during the 2021-22 season after taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The original plan had been for the German to move upstairs as a technical director after his interim spell but that was cancelled after a dismal end to the season.
He has gone on to rebuild his reputation as manager of the Austrian national team, qualifying them for the Euros playing attacking, high-pressing football.
Prior to his stint at United, he was crucial in building Red Bull’s footballing product for their teams Salzburg and Leipzig.
He had two spells at Leipzig as coach but his main role was as a technical director.
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Bayern feel he could perform a similar role for them as they look to restructure the club off the back of several disappointing managerial appointments.
Whether he could be tempted into an interim role at Bayern remains to be seen.
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
