Liverpool, Bayern Munich To Compete For Same Xabi Alonso Alternative
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are reportedly considering Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi as a potential managerial appointment this summer. Both clubs are seeking new leadership for their teams, as Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel are set to leave their positions at the end of the season.
Xabi Alonso, currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, has been linked with the vacant positions due to his impressive performance leading his team on an unbeaten run since the start of the season. However, it remains to be seen if Alonso will be swayed to move elsewhere, as Leverkusen officials have expressed confidence in retaining him.
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s Anfield and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena are seen as possible destinations for Alonso as long as uncertainty remains over his future at Leverkusen.
Reports suggest that if Xabi Alonso decides to part ways with Bayer Leverkusen, a move to Bayern Munich may be his preferred option. Leverkusen is currently vying for a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Europa League treble.
However, both Bayern Munich and Liverpool are in need of contingency plans in case Alonso chooses the other club or decides to stay at the BayArena.
According to BILD, Roberto De Zerbi is seen as the primary alternative to Alonso by both English and German clubs.
Despite Brighton’s recent defeat to Roma in the Europa League last 16, De Zerbi continues to receive praise for his tactical style and for keeping the Seagulls in the Premier League’s top eight.
The Italian coach has consistently expressed his contentment at the Amex Stadium, although the report indicates that Liverpool’s incoming sporting director Richard Hughes holds a strong admiration for the 44-year-old.
Hughes reportedly showed interest in bringing De Zerbi to Bournemouth, where he has been since retiring from playing in 2014, but De Zerbi pursued other opportunities in his coaching career.
Furthermore, the report suggests that Bayern Munich have already engaged in discussions with De Zerbi to assess his interest in joining the Bundesliga club if an offer is extended to him.
Currently, De Zerbi is under contract with Brighton until 2026, and if there’s a possibility of an offer from elsewhere, an extension with improved terms could be on the table.
However, Brighton CEO Paul Barber has openly acknowledged the need to identify alternatives to De Zerbi should concrete interest in the highly-rated coach arise, similar to the situation before Graham Potter departed for Chelsea.
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