Several of Europe’s leading top clubs are looking for a new manager for the summer, and there is one man who is more sought after than any other:
Xabi Alonso.
The 42-year-old has almost performed a miracle by transforming Bayer Leverkusen from a club threatened with relegation to leading the Bundesliga with ten points more than second-placed Bayern Munich.
– It will be difficult
In the summer, both Bayern and Liverpool are without a head coach, and Alonso, who has played for both clubs, is according to several media outlets on the wish list.
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness (72) believes for his part that it will be tough to get Alonso out of Leverkusen
– One should not forget that he coaches a club that is on its way to becoming German champions. He has a lot to thank the club for. As I know him, I think he is leaning towards continuing because I don’t think he wants to leave it, says Hoeness, according to Bild.
– If he is also successful in the years to come, I think it will be easier to lure him away from there. We’ll see if anyone manages it this year, but I think it’s very difficult, almost impossible, he continues.
There aren’t exactly a lot of options if Alonso were to choose to stay at Leverkusen.
According to Florian Plettenberg in German Sky Sports, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi will be the next man on the wish list if they do not get hold of Xabi Alonso. The Italian is also said to be high on Liverpool’s list, according to reports.
Will have the trainer ready by April
In an interview with German Sky Sports, Bayern Munich’s newly hired sporting director Max Eberl explains how the club approaches the hiring process.
– We want to have it as clear as possible. We are entering April now, and it would have been nice if the decision had been made during the month, says Eberl.
Despite the fact that he wants the decision made as quickly as possible, he clarifies that the most important thing is that it is the right man who enters the gates.
– We have not set a deadline. If it takes longer, it takes longer. The most important thing is that we make the best possible decision.
