BAYERN MUNICH are lining up an alternative managerial option to Xabi Alonso in the form of Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, reports suggest.
Alonso, 42, is hotly tipped to leave table-topping Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
What appear to be his two main suitors, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, both have managers leaving at the end of the season in Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp respectively.
However, despite heavy interest in Alonso’s services which is said to have included talks behind the scenes, there is no guarantee of an appointment.
The Spaniard is yet to make a decision on his future and could yet stay put in Leverkusen next season.
According to Florian Plettenberg, the Bayern are already preparing alternatives.
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Top of that list is said to be De Zerbi, who the club’s sporting director Max Eberl is said to be a big fan of.
It is claimed De Zerbi has been informed of the interest from Bavaria.
Although Bayern could end up missing out on two managerial targets with Barcelona – another club in the market for a new coach this summer – also shortlisting the 44-year-old Italian.
Christian Falk added on CaughtOffside that Alonso may yet make a play for the Real Madrid job in 2026 to become Carlo Ancelotti’s successor, since it coincides with his contract expiry at Leverkusen.
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Alonso has guided his Leverkusen side to a unbeaten start to the season.
They have a ten-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table, are in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal and face a Europa League quarter-final against West Ham.
In De Zerbi’s case, the Seagulls have not fared as well as they did last season.
They are currently eighth in the Premier League, were knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the fifth and third rounds respectively and were thrashed in the last-16 of the Europa League by Roma.
Although he has plenty of credit in the bank from his performance last season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
