HITC understands that Liverpool and Bayern Munich have been informed that Xabi Alonso is set to remain in charge of Bayer Leverkusen next season.
Both Liverpool and Bayern targeted Alonso to take charge next season – with Jurgen Klopp departing Anfield and Thomas Tuchel leaving Munich.
Sources have confirmed to HITC that talks had been going on behind the scenes with both clubs pushing hard to persuade Alonso to rejoin one of his former clubs – but with Leverkusen on the brink of a unlikely Bundesliga success, he is set to remain for at least one more season.
Informed
It is understood that Alonso has instructed his representatives to inform both Liverpool and Bayern that his decision has been made. It is believed he did not want the situation to push on towards the summer and this will now allow both clubs to concentrate on their search on their new managers.
Liverpool’s new football chief Michael Edwards had already approved the club making Alonso their primary target – but along with the club soon to be sporting director Richard Hughes, it is understood that they had, and do, have alternative options in mind and have begun work on those.
HITC understands that current German boss Julian Nagelsmann is someone of interest to Liverpool, as we revealed earlier this month, whilst Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is seen as a strong candidate along with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi is a man in demand and HITC have confirmed that Brighton are looking to tie him down to a new deal, with his current contract having a release clause worth around £10million – but it is understood the Italian is not in a hurry to sign fresh terms.
De Zerbi is someone that Bayern have a genuine interest in and HITC is told that they would not have an issue paying his release, if they had to.
Bayern, like Liverpool, have been working hard on Alonso, but they admitted on late on Thursday evening that the deal was unlikely.
Bayern admit defeat
Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness admitted that the chances of landing Alonso had diminshed.
“It will be very difficult, not to say probably impossible,” he told Das Erste.
“I can certainly imagine him staying in Leverkusen. As I got to know him, he would be more inclined to carry on because he wouldn’t want to leave it behind now.
“He is now working at a club that is currently in the process of becoming German champions. He has a lot to thank this club for, and so does the club.
“If he had two or three years more success, it would probably be easier to get him out of there. We would like to sign him. But if that doesn’t work, it will be the task of the club’s management to look for and find alternatives.”