XABI ALONSO is being lined up to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
Tuchel will leave the German giants at the end of the season after a disastrous run of fixtures.
The German’s long-term position became untenable following three consecutive defeats – a first for Bayern since the Pep Guardiola days of 2015.
His side was dismantled 3-0 by Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen last week, which threatened to end their 11-year reign as Bundesliga champions.
They were then beaten 1-0 by Lazio in the Champions League last-16 first leg in Rome.
The pressure increased on Tuchel after Sunday’s 3-2 loss at bottom-half Bochum left his side eight points behind Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders.
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
Alonso is now understood to be Bayern’s top candidate to take over in the summer.
Facing a first trophyless season in 12 years, Bayern’s primary plan was to reach the end of the campaign with Tuchel and assess the situation.
But it was confirmed on Wednesday that Tuchel will in fact leave at the end of this campaign.
The former Chelsea boss said: “We have agreed that we will end our working relationship at the end of this season.”
Most read in Bundesliga
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
In 44 matches as manager so far, he has won 28, drawn five and lost 11.
Leon Goretzka has compared Bayern’s recent downturn “a horror movie that doesn’t stop.”
Alonso,42,is in cruise control at the top of the league and is unbeaten in all competitions.
The German giants will have to fight off some serious competition from Liverpool in order to employ his services.
The Spaniard was tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp after the Reds manager dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes claims he is “sure” Alonso will stay with the club despite interest from both sides.
If they fail to nab Alonso, Bayern will consider three-time Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane.
Meanwhile, rumours swirled that former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could come in as interim boss.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
