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      Xabi Alonso ‘not interested in Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid’ as World Cup winner predicts next move

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      XABI ALONSO is going to snub Liverpool, Bayern Munich AND Real Madrid – according to Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.Former Bayern star Matthaus would love Alonso to be the next boss of his old team, but reckons the Spaniard will spurn interest from a number of big clubs to stay for at least one more year at Bayer Leverkusen.
      Bayern Munich and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes Xabi Alonso is going nowhere this summerCredit: Getty
      Matthaus said: “His dream may be to one day coach Bayern, Liverpool or Real Madrid. But, in my opinion, he is not done at Leverkusen yet.
      “Xabi is not someone who gets carried away by big names, he has celebrated too many successes as a player for that. 
      “He, in addition, is not going to be guided by the economic aspect. What matters to him is what he has built and who he has built it with. 
      “He knows where he comes from and what he owes to others. That’s why I don’t think he’s going to sign for another club next season.”
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      Former Kop idol Alonso is believed to be Liverpool’s top choice to replace Jurgen Klopp when the German leaves Anfield at the end of the season.
      But another of the Spaniard’s former clubs, Bayern, are also in the market for a new head coach after confirming that Thomas Tuchel would be on his way this summer.
      And Real Madrid, another club that Alonso graced as one of the most stylish midfielders of his generation, have also been linked with him.
      Matthaus, who won seven Bundesliga titles with Bayern and the 1990 World Cup with West Germany, knows exactly where he would like Alonso to pitch up next.
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      Matthaus, 62, now a Sky Germany pundit, said: “As for the search for Tuchel’s successor, I would first like to say one thing: Xabi Alonso has to top Bayern’s list because of his resume, his authority and his successful work at Leverkusen. 
      “I can’t think of any coach in Europe or the world who fits Bayern Munich better than Xabi Alonso.
      Xabi Alonso and De Zerbi are two names who could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summer
      “But Alonso is focused on Bayer Leverkusen and I think that is good. Xabi Alonso is not yet interested in Bayern Munich, nor in Liverpool or Real Madrid. 
      “He is only interested in winning three titles with Leverkusen in the next two and a half months.
      “The way he was a player, he is the same now as a coach.
      “He is true to his character. The stories that are unfolding now and in the coming weeks and months don’t matter to him. 
      “He has no pressure and can take things easy.” More

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      Liverpool star Andy Robertson ‘is Bayern Munich’s top transfer target to replace Real Madrid-bound Alphonso Davies’

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      LIVERPOOL star Andy Robertson is Bayern Munich’s top choice to replace Alphonso Davies, according to reports.The German giants are set to lose left-back Davies to Real Madrid this summer, with the Canadian having reached a “verbal agreement” with the LaLiga champions.
      Andrew Robertson helped Liverpool win the Carabao Cup last SundayCredit: Rex
      Bayern Munich are resigned to losing Alphonso DaviesCredit: Getty
      Bayern want to recruit a top-class replacement for the 23-year-old, with Robertson fitting the bill.
      According to the Mail, Bayern will try to tempt the Scot into a move.
      The Bundesliga champions recognise that it will be difficult to prise the 29-year-old away from Anfield.
      But they are determined to secure as high-quality a replacement for Davies as possible.
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      And they reckon that at this stage of his career, Robertson may be tempted by a new challenge.
      The Scotland captain joined Liverpool from Hull in an £8million deal in 2017.
      He has since appeared 282 times for the Reds, playing a key role in Premier League and Champions League wins, in addition to pocketing plenty of domestic medals.
      Robertson recently returned from a shoulder injury and started Sunday’s victorious Carabao Cup final.
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      The speedy left-back is also set to skipper his country at Euro 2024 this summer, with Scotland taking on Germany in the tournament’s opening game at Bayern’s Allianz Arena.
      The German side have looked to the Premier League in recent transfer windows.
      Xabi Alonso’s preference ‘revealed’ as Liverpool and Bayern Munich ‘make enquiries over Bayer Leverkusen boss
      They signed Harry Kane from Tottenham in a £104m swoop last August.
      While they secured a short-term deal for Eric Dier from Spurs in January.
      Despite the blockbuster acquisition of Kane, Bayern have endured a difficult season.
      They are currently second in the Bundesliga table with 11 games to go, trailing leaders Bayer Leverkusen by eight points.
      Kane and Co also find themselves on the brink of a round of 16 Champions League exit, having lost their first leg 1-0 to Lazio.
      Bayern have been eliminated from the DFB Pokal, and lost in the German Supercup on Kane’s debut.
      Boss Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season.
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      Should he accelerate his exit, former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could step in as interim.
      Liverpool target Xabi Alonso has been linked with taking the role in the summer, although the Reds want him to snub Bayern and replace Jurgen Klopp instead. More

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      Alphonso Davies ‘reaches verbal agreement’ on Bayern Munich transfer exit after ‘several meetings in recent weeks’

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      ALPHONSO DAVIES has allegedly reached a “verbal agreement” to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid.The versatile Canadian defender, 23, left Vancouver Whitecaps for the German side back in 2018.
      Real Madrid have allegedly agreed terms with Alphonso DaviesCredit: Getty
      Since then he has become one of the top stars at the club, helping them to win five straight Bundesliga titles plus the 2020 Champions League.
      However, his contract at Bayern expires in 2025 and he now looks set to leave them to join Madrid.
      The LaLiga leaders are on the lookout for a new left-back and are believed to have made Davies their top target.
      Now The Athletic have offered an update on the transfer chase.
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      They say talks have already taken place between Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat and director general Jose Angel Sanchez with the player’s representatives.
      And they claim that the duo have asked Davies not to extend his deal at Bayern.
      Several meetings have reportedly taken place already, including one in person earlier this month in Madrid.
      And they now claim that a verbal agreement has been reached for Davies to either join Madrid this summer or as a free agent next year.
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      Meanwhile, Marca have also revealed how much it would cost Madrid to sign him at the end of this season.
      They claim that Bayern have placed a £42.75m price tag on his head.
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      Ferland Mendy is currently Madrid’s first-choice left-back.
      The 28-year-old French international moved to the Bernabeu in 2019 from Lyon.
      He has made over 100 appearances for Los Blancos since then but he will also become a free agent in 2025 unless he agrees to an extension. More

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      Kane scores twice including last-gasp winner in front of Southgate as Bayern desperately try to keep up with Leverkusen

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      HARRY KANE won’t be the only Englishman who was pleased with his performance in the Allianz Arena.England gaffer Gareth Southgate watched on as he netted his 26th and 27th Bundesliga goals of the season against RB Leipzig.
      Harry Kane netted twice as Bayern Munich got a crucial three points in the BundesligaCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate was watching on from the crowdCredit: Sky Sports

      Southgate didn’t just see his Three Lions captain continue his Bavarian dominance, but watched Eric Dier get another 90 minutes in the tank too.
      The English duo played their part in a crucial 2-1 win over RB Leipzig.
      Bayern Munich are chasing down their title rivals Bayer Leverkusen who have shocked the footballing world with their stunning form this season.
      Tonight’s victory means that Bayern are able to close the gap to Xabi Alonso’s high-flying side down to eight points.
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      The Bavarians have been way off their usual standards this season and are fighting to stay in the title race and avoid giving up a 33rd Bundesliga title.
      While Leverkusen have been the surprise package in the German top flight with the Black and Reds unbeaten in their 23 league games this season.
      Bayern have already announced they will be parting ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season after he has failed to maintain their near-perfect standards.
      But Kane is one man who isn’t giving up on earning himself the first piece of silverware in his goal flooded career.
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      The 30-year old has now scored an astonishing 31 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for Bayern this season.
      Southgate will have always known that Kane is the first man on his teamsheet for the Euros in Germany this season with the superstar the national captain.
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      But his electric form this term will certainly be giving the waistcoat wearing boss a heap of confidence that England could do something very special this summer.
      Eric Dier on the other hand hasn’t been in the England squad since March of last year.
      But with the 30-year-old centre-back continuing to play consistent football for Bayern he could work his way into Southgate’s thinking this summer.
      Eric Dier has been playing more regular football at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka scores incredible goal before pranking terrified boss Xabi Alonso with his celebration

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      GRANIT XHAKA pranked his own manager with a goal celebration as brilliant as his stunning strike.Xabi Alonso went from ecstasy to terror on the sideline as the former Arsenal midfielder lashed into the back of the net only to immediately grab his hamstring.
      Granit Xhaka scored a screamer for LeverkusenCredit: Sky Sports
      Xhaka gave boss Xabi Alonso a scare after the goal
      Alonso’s joy turned to fear on the touchlineCredit: Sky Sports
      Alonso couldn’t help but smile when he realised it was a prankCredit: Sky Sports

      But it turned out the Liverpool target was the only one not in on the joke as the Bundesliga leaders went 11 points clear of Bayern Munich with Friday’s 2-1 defeat of Mainz.
      Fans loved the comical caper after the Swiss star scored for the first time in 25 matches since quitting the Gunners for Alonso’s side.
      Xhaka went from hardman to funny man – despite the tension at the top of the German top flight as Leverkusen bid to dethrone Bayern.
      He’s certainly had a long time to plan something special for his first goal.
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      And his moment arrived after he skilfully shifted his body to thunder home a first-time left-footer from 25 yards in just the fourth minute.
      Xhaka wheeled away to rejoice – but quickly pulled up, clutching the back of his left leg and grimacing.
      Team-mates encircled the 31-year-old to salute his goal.
      And gradually Xhaka as well as wing-back Jeremie Frimpong turned the leg-holding into a celebration – as they danced off, lifting their knees in unison, while their colleagues grinned knowingly.
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      Xhaka held his hamstring and all his team-mates were in on itCredit: Rex
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      Ex-Liverpool midfield stylist Alonso was pictured on the Leverkusen bench with a worried expression that turned into a burst of laughter as looked on with his coaching team.
      One fan on social media responded: “I died laughing” while another wrote: “The reaction of the staff lol.”
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      Other viewers hailed Xhaka’s antics with comments like: “He faked his coach lol” and “Lol I thought he was going to twerk”.
      And one observer even compared the Leverkusen levity to other epic celebrations.
      He posted: “The video has everything to become iconic. The goal, celebration, the commentators who were fooled and Alonso who holds back the trainers.”
      But if Xhaka had the first laugh, Mainz keeper Robin Zentner was the victim of the last one – with a costly cock-up.
      Dominik Kohr had headed a shock leveller for the lowly visitors in only the eighth minute.
      And although Zentner produced a string of classy saves, he then fumbled in a Robert Andrich shot for Leverkusen’s winner midway trough the second half.
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      One fan labelled the German stopper a “Karius clone” – a hars reference to Lorius Karius, who gifted Real Madrid two goals in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat six years ago.
      Friday’s triumph means Leverkusen have now gone a club record 33 games unbeaten in all competitions. More

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      Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann reveals his dad was a spy who killed himself due to pressures of the job

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      Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has revealed his father was a SPY – who killed himself due to pressures of his job.Nagelsmann led Bayern Munich to the 2022 Bundesliga title, and was linked to the Chelsea and Tottenham manager’s jobs.
      Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has revealed his father was a spyCredit: Getty
      The 36-year-old became Germany’s second youngest-ever national coach last September when replacing Hansi Flick.
      He is set to lead his country when they host the Euro 2024 finals this summer.
      But Nagelsmann has now revealed his father used to work for the Federal Intelligence Service – the MI6 of Germany – before committing suicide 16 years ago.
      He told Der Spiegel: “I’m not allowed to say what role he had, and don’t know for sure what he did – but I know it was not the admin side.
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      “I knew little about where he really worked, but he told me when I was around 15 years old.
      “We would talk in his car when he drove me to training, but he was not allowed to speak much about his job.
      “He often said it was all too much for him. In his profession you couldn’t share your concerns, and in the end it weighed too heavily on him.
      “When people asked me what my father did I told them he was a soldier. Even my grandad believed his son was in the army.
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      “I was doing a coaching course near Munich when the tutor asked me to leave the room. Straightaway there was my stepfather, who told me that my dad had committed suicide.
      “My dad never left a farewell note, but the way he took his life made it clear his decision had been firm.
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      “It felt like s*** for my family, but at least it helped me to know that he definitely wanted to die and it was not just a cry for help. I had to respect his decision.
      “I think it was combination of his workload and his general condition. He changed a lot near the end of his life – we noticed the professional pressures on him.”
      Nagelsmann has achieved many great feats in management despite still being in his mid-30s.
      During his first stint as head coach with Hoffenheim he was named German Manager of the Year in 2017 after guiding them to a fourth-place finish.
      He then won the German Cup with RB Leipzig, before claiming the Bundesliga title and two German Super Cups with Bayern Munich.
      Now the German national team boss, Nagelsmann also gave a fitting tribute to his late father.
      He added: “He had been a fun-loving guy, who liked cracking jokes with his pals, playing the guitar and singing.
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      “We had been a happy family, with few rows or stresses, and we always had Sunday lunches together.
      “That made it all the harder for me to understand why he did what he did.” More

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      Jurgen Klopp’s agent confirms manager’s plans after Liverpool exit with Bayern Munich job set to be available

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      LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp plans to take a year out following his exit from the club. That’s according to his agent Marc Kosicke who told Sky Germany that the German doesn’t plan to take over any club or national team anytime soon.
      Jurgen Klopp will depart Liverpool this summerCredit: EPA
      The statement comes after Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich confirmed they will be parting ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.
      Klopp was immediately linked with replacing him.
      The Liverpool chief has already stated he has no intentions of coaching another team in England following a successful nine year spell at Anfield.
      But since the announcement in January, he has found himself linked with vacancies at Barcelona and Germany but his agent insists he is going nowhere… for now.

      Klopp’s agent Kosicke said: “Jurgen Klopp will not coach any club or national team for a year after this current season.
      “That remains unchanged.“
      With Klopp having ruled himself out of Bayern Munich job, former player and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xavi Alonso is favourite to land the job alongside Zinedine Zidane and former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Ironically, the vacancy coming up at Bayern could wreck Liverpool’s plans with it understood they are keen to appoint Alonso themselves.
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      Klopp first arrived to Liverpool back in November 2015 having replaced Brendan Rodgers in the dugout.
      Klopp was able to get the team to the Europa League final a couple of months later where they lost 3-1 to Sevilla.
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      Since then, he has returned the club to the top of the game, guiding them to a Champions League and Premier League trophy during his time.
      Signings including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk have been key players during his tenure.
      Klopp has spent nine years at LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Eric Dier’s career in limbo as ‘doubts’ emerge over England star just 42 days after Bayern Munich transfer

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      ERIC DIER’S Bayern career looks to be coming to an end already – just 42 days after he joined the German champions.The Bavarian club are in full-blown crisis after losing their last three games on the bounce.
      Dier is unlikely to have his contract extended by BayernCredit: Rex
      Thomas Tuchel, the manager that brought in both Harry Kane and Eric Dier from Spurs, has already been dismissed by the club with the German undergoing a stay of execution until the summer.
      Dier has made just five appearances so far and the club are understood to be concerned about his lack of “pace” and “ability” according to The Daily Mail.
      The deal to bring him to the Allianz was structured in an unconventional way, with the defender currently on a six month loan from Tottenham.
      But his contract with Spurs is up in the summer, meaning he will be a free agent when the loan expires.
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      Bayern have the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months in the summer but that looks unlikely to happen at this stage.
      Dier has surprisingly moved up the pecking order since his move to Munich, with Bayern also having Matthijs de Ligt, Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upemacano to choose from.
      Upemacano has been struggling of late, being sent off in his last two appearances for the club.
      Dier has previously credited Kane with helping him adjust quickly to life in Bavaria.
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      He said it was a “dream” to join Kane in Bayern although he did rule out lodging in Kane’s £30million mansion.
      But his “dream” move is increasingly becoming a nightmare with Bayern now eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the title race.
      Fans are only just realising what Eric Dier sounds like after fears Bayern Munich star had pulled a Steve McClaren,
      Their Champions League threads are also hanging by a thread after losing the first leg of their round of 16 clash 1-0 against Lazio. More