Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is to turn down a glorious return to Anfield in favour of his other former club, Bayern Munich
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is set to pick Bayern Munich over the Merseysiders, in a huge blow to the Premier League giants.
Alonso played at Anfield for five years and is widely thought to be the first-choice option to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the dugout, when the German steps aside after nine years in the role this summer. The Spaniard is currently top of the Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich in second.
But after finishing his playing career at the Allianz Arena, Alonso is said to now favour a move back to Bavaria to succeed Thomas Tuchel – who is leaving at the end of the season, too.
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is leaving at the end of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has now claimed that Alonso has “given his word” that he would rather move across the Bundesliga than try and follow such a legendary figure as Klopp.
“They have the information that, if he changes, he will go to Bayern and not Liverpool,” the German writer said. “Alonso says that Liverpool and the [Jurgen] Klopp legacy are a difficult number. You could lose more than win.”
Still, this conflicts with the information that Arne Slot is being lined up by Bayern, as according to German outlet AZ, Die Roten are hugely impressed with the Dutchman's work at Feyenoord.
Arne Slot is of interest to Bayern (Image credit: Broer van den Boom/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Alonso reportedly has a contract until 2026, with Bayer Leverkusen holding out for a compensation package for the Basque boss.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
