Alonso to Bayern would be the ultimate Bundesliga burglary
Winning the Xabi Alonso battle would be Bayern Munich's ultimate act of Bundesliga burglary
While Bayern Munich has a history of acquiring talent from their domestic rivals, appointing the Bayer Leverkusen manager would take their recruitment to a whole new level.
According to all indications, Xabi Alonso is expected to depart Bayer Leverkusen at the conclusion of the current season. This departure would likely result in the dismantling of the team he has meticulously built and honed, particularly following their notable achievement as Bundesliga title contenders.
It's undoubtedly a pity, considering Leverkusen's status as an exhilarating team to watch and their disruption of the previously stagnant hierarchy at the summit of German football. They remain on course to potentially finish the season unbeaten in all competitions, with the prospect of claiming three trophies within reach. Even in the event of setbacks, Alonso has guided Leverkusen to one of their most successful seasons in club history.
With bigger opportunities on the horizon, Alonso's next move remains uncertain. It's currently a toss-up between Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Premier League contenders Liverpool, as to which of his former clubs he will take charge of in the upcoming summer.
There is a growing feeling of apprehension that Bayern Munich may be edging ahead in the competition to secure the services of Europe's most sought-after coach. If they succeed, it would mark the pinnacle of Bayern's longstanding tradition of poaching top talent from their domestic competitors.
Europe's most wanted
This upcoming summer is anticipated to witness significant managerial upheaval at the highest levels of football. Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona are already in search of new faces for their dugouts, while Manchester United and Chelsea could potentially join them in this pursuit. Additionally, with potential departures from top international roles following major tournaments like the European Championship and Copa America, the number of elite-level vacancies could reach unprecedented levels.
Amidst this backdrop, Xabi Alonso emerges as one of the most coveted managerial candidates. Unless a remarkable downturn occurs, the Spanish legend appears poised to break Bayern Munich's 11-year grip on the Bundesliga title, all while implementing attractive football on a restricted budget.
Taking over just 18 months ago when Bayer Leverkusen languished in the relegation zone with defensive frailties and a lack of attacking direction, Alonso has transformed the team's fortunes. Despite losing key players, Leverkusen remains unbeaten this season, are poised to clinch the league title with a considerable margin, and are among the favorites to win the Europa League.
Alonso has not only rejuvenated a disillusioned fan base and extracted the best from some of Europe's top young talents but also demonstrated a keen eye for value in the transfer market—an aspect often overlooked by big clubs. Consequently, Alonso has become the managerial target for many teams. In a sport where marginal gains are crucial, Alonso's adeptness at maximizing a team's potential makes him an attractive proposition for any club.
Boost for Bayern
Bayern Munich's potential hiring of Xabi Alonso would be a logical move given their recent challenges. Despite their domestic successes, the past two years in Bavaria have been tumultuous. Julian Nagelsmann's tenure never quite convinced, leading to his dismissal in March 2023, despite the team's continued involvement in domestic and European competitions.
Thomas Tuchel was seen as a potential solution. With a successful track record at Chelsea, he inherited a Bayern squad capable of retaining the Bundesliga title and competing in Europe. However, the reality fell short; Bayern suffered a significant defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals and narrowly secured the Bundesliga title thanks to Borussia Dortmund's collapse on the final day of the season.
Since then, Bayern's form hasn't improved. Defeats in cup competitions and inconsistent league performances have left them out of contention for domestic honors. Additionally, their prospects for European success appear dim, with formidable opponents like Arsenal and potentially Manchester City or Real Madrid standing in their path to the Champions League final.
With Tuchel already set to depart at the end of the season, Bayern is in need of a new manager, and Xabi Alonso emerges as the most suitable candidate available.
Liverpool's interest
Both Bayern Munich and Liverpool are vying for Xabi Alonso's managerial services, setting the stage for a high-profile race in the coming months. Liverpool, in particular, are in need of a new manager following Jurgen Klopp's announcement of his departure at the end of the season.
The Reds are seeking a manager who not only possesses tactical astuteness but also embodies strong leadership qualities, capable of connecting with the fanbase amidst Klopp's departure. Alonso stands out as a potential candidate who fits both criteria.
Initially, reports suggested that Alonso was the frontrunner for the Liverpool job and was leaning towards a move to England at the end of the season. However, recent speculation indicates that he may be favoring a return to Bayern Munich, while reports also suggest that Liverpool is exploring alternative options. Alonso himself has remained quiet on the matter, denying links to both clubs.
Bayern's BuLi robberies
Bayern Munich's strategy of poaching top talent from their Bundesliga rivals is a well-established aspect of their business model. This approach is nothing new for the club, as they have consistently sought to bring in the best players from within Germany.
Jurgen Klopp is well aware of this strategy. In April 2013, Bayern secured the signing of Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund in a €37 million deal, creating tension between the two clubs. The timing of the transfer, just 24 hours before Dortmund's Champions League semi-final, led Klopp to suggest that it was orchestrated to disrupt his team's season.
Gotze was not the only player to make the move. Robert Lewandowski also joined Bayern the following year on a free transfer after Dortmund refused to sell him in the summer of 2013, knowing that he had no intention of renewing his contract.
This trend has persisted over the years. Players like Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, and Benjamin Pavard were all recruited from Bayern's domestic rivals. Going further back in history, Michael Ballack and Manuel Neuer also made the switch from key competitors to Bayern Munich.
Friendly rivalry?
This situation feels somewhat distinct from the typical tension between clubs seen in past transfers. Unlike the strained relationship between Dortmund and Bayern throughout the 2010s, Leverkusen and Bayern have maintained a relatively amicable rapport in recent years.
Their contrasting league positions and minimal transfer activity have contributed to a lack of friction between the two clubs. Given the significant gap between them this season, discussions of a managerial switch may seem somewhat superficial. Additionally, Bayern's current focus on resolving their own internal issues, such as contract negotiations, poor performances, and outspoken sporting director, leaves little room for engaging in a media war over managerial appointments.
Moreover, the potential move involves a coach rather than a top player, which may contribute to a less chaotic atmosphere. If it were key players like Florian Wirtz, Alejandro Grimaldo, or Jeremie Frimpong being targeted by Bayern, the situation might be more contentious. With managers, there tends to be more control and potentially better relationships, which could mitigate tensions between the clubs.
World-class coup
Despite the potentially amicable circumstances, the prospect of Bayern Munich securing Xabi Alonso's services still evokes a sense of significant achievement. Alonso's transformative impact on Bayer Leverkusen, propelling them to Bundesliga glory and ending Bayern's dominance, underscores his managerial prowess. In comparison, the acquisition of playing talents, while notable, pales in comparison to the impact Alonso could have at the Allianz Arena.
Alonso's arrival would undoubtedly elevate Bayern's competitiveness, while leaving Leverkusen facing a summer of uncertainty. Players like Grimaldo, Frimpong, Victor Boniface, and possibly Wirtz could find their futures in question without the manager who propelled them to new heights. Such a move would disrupt Leverkusen's 18 months of rapid progress and significantly bolster Bayern's strength in the short term.
While Alonso's destination remains uncertain, with the possibility of him joining Liverpool or staying put for another year, the substantial rumors hint at the potential for Bayern to orchestrate a significant Bundesliga coup. Should all pieces fall into place, Bayern could be on the brink of executing their most impressive Bundesliga acquisition to date.
