Liverpool: Alonso ‘total agreement’ sees Leverkusen line up new manager; Bayern ‘do everything’

Xabi Alonso during a pre-match press conference.

If Xabi Alonso departs for Liverpool or Bayern Munich this summer, Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly planning to bring in Raul, the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, to replace him.

Thanks to Alonso’s outstanding play this season, Leverkusen is now ten points clear of Bayern Munich in second place in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen has shortlisted potential Alonso replacements.
Even more remarkable than Leverkusen’s undefeated league record this season is Bayern Munich’s record of winning all eleven Bundesliga titles in a row.

Many in Europe have taken note of Alonso’s accomplishments, and the oddsmakers now have the former midfielder as Liverpool’s favorite to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

There have been whispers that Liverpool are Alonso’s “clear preference” for a summer transfer, but German media have claimed that the Spaniard is adamant about a move to Bayern Munich due to his fear of following Klopp.

Earlier reports suggested that Alonso and Leverkusen had already reached an agreement for him to leave the club in the summer, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich reportedly still vying for his signature.

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According to Bild (via Fichajes), a German publication, Leverkusen is reportedly looking into potential replacements for Alonso, as both Bayern Munich and Liverpool have expressed interest in the former midfielder.

Raul, manager of Real Madrid Castilla, has “shown his willingness to explore new opportunities” and is now being considered by Leverkusen as a possible replacement for Alonso. His background playing for Schalke in the Bundesliga and his fluency in German make him an attractive prospect.

The Bundesliga front-runners are “preparing for any eventuality on the technical bench,” which could include former Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness.

The advantage that Bayern Munich had over Liverpool was
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool isn’t in the running to sign Xabi Alonso; the lead belongs to Bayern Munich, a German powerhouse.

“I thought Liverpool were ahead of Bayern Munich (for Xabi Alonso) two or three weeks ago, but now Bayern Munich are moving fast because they think he’s the perfect manager for the future,” Di Marzio told wettfreunde.net, confirming rumors in Germany.

Because Bayern Munich is a top club and I know they push hard, they usually get the coach that they want. Just like they did for Julian Nagelsmann, they have no problem paying the exit clauses.

Xabi is well-liked by [Uli] Hoeness, and Hoeness makes the calls when Munich is ahead of Liverpool. They are going to stop at nothing to capture him.