Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists no decision has been made on the club’s next head coach, amid reports that talks are already underway with Bayer Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso.
Bayern announced last month that Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the season, with the Bavarian giants set to see their 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title end.
They sit 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen at the Bundesliga summit and must overturn a 1-0 deficit to advance beyond the Champions League’s last 16 when they host Lazio on Tuesday.
Leverkusen boss Alonso will have no shortage of suitors this summer, with Liverpool also strongly linked with a move for their former midfielder as they prepare for the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
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On Tuesday, Sky Sports in Germany reported that Bayern have initiated talks with Leverkusen over a compensation package worth up to €25million (£21.3m) for Alonso, who is reportedly keen on the move.
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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) March 5, 2024
However, when asked about those reports by La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Tuesday’s game, former Bayern chief executive Rummenigge said: “We have not decided yet, we are taking our time.
“We have to go through to the next round of the Champions League, that is important. Now, for sure, Bayer Leverkusen are going to win the Bundesliga title.”
While Alonso appears to be the overwhelming favourite for the Bayern job, they have also been linked with their former boss Hansi Flick and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness, the son of Dieter Hoeness and nephew of Uli Hoeness.
34 games is a full Bundesliga season… Wow. ????#Bayer04 #Werkself pic.twitter.com/KYV10NqH6X
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 4, 2024
