Xabi Alonso went straight on the offensive. The Bayer Leverkusen coach began his first press conference after the announced separation between Thomas Tuchel and FC Bayern at the end of the season with the words: “Maybe you have some questions about my future. But I’m sorry, I don’t have that much to say.”
Alonso did not spare himself the cross-examination of the many questions about the new rumors about his future on Thursday. He answered them increasingly curtly and tight-lipped. When asked whether he would also be coach in Leverkusen next year, he said in German: “Just yes”.
Currently he is “the coach. That’s for sure. I have nothing new to say about the future,” said Alonso: “There are rumors, but it’s not an issue. It’s not the right time to talk about it.” He isn’t annoyed by the speculation, “that’s not a problem for me.” And his team isn’t influenced by it either: “We had a normal week. We are all very focused, no problem.”
The Spaniard, who made Bayer Leverkusen high-flyers and thus quickly became the most sought-after coach in Europe, already knows the game. Whenever the coach leaves at a big club, there are rumors about him a few hours later. Especially when it comes to the three major international clubs where Alonso himself played and left his mark.
A logical candidate for FC Bayern
So now it’s FC Bayern. There had already been discussions, it was said shortly after the Munich team announced that Thomas Tuchel would be leaving at the end of the season. “I understand the question. But that’s hypothetical,” said Alonso. But of course there will have been contact. Alonso has a close relationship with all of his ex-Kubs. And of course he is also a logical candidate for Bayern. However, the outcome in this personality seems completely open.
If Bayern hope that the relevant reports will cause unrest among the Leverkusen team, this hope is very vague. During the speculation about a possible Alonso move to Real and about the possible successor to Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, Alonso and his team always remained calm. With a home win on Friday (8:30 p.m., in the WELT sports ticker) against the penultimate FSV Mainz 05, Bayer could at least temporarily expand their lead at the top of the table to an incredible eleven points.
“The team always pulled itself out of the affair nicely”
FC Bayern is parting ways with Thomas Tuchel. Jimmy Hartwig doesn’t get enough criticism of the team. “None of this is good for German football. “It gets worse and worse when the fans have a say,” said the ex-national player.
But the current Bayern scare is basically a Bayern favorite. Former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said around a year ago that he “had seen few players who were as likeable and intelligent as Xabi.” If someone had such a good coach and so much success, said Rummenigge, “and a “If he’s a good guy and so disciplined and empathetic, it would have to be the devil if he doesn’t succeed as a trainer.”
The new sports director Max Eberl, who could take up his duties next week, also thinks highly of the former world and European champions. He wanted to bring Alonso to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2021. Alonso confirmed talks at the time and admitted that he didn’t feel ready for the Bundesliga yet.
Alonso has not given any clear denials to any rumors
In principle, it seems entirely conceivable that Alonso will replay his playing career, coaching both Real, Liverpool and Bayern over the years. The ties to the three clubs are so close that it seems unimaginable that he would take over their rivals such as FC Barcelona or Manchester United. Conversely, the Basque, at 42, should not have the feeling that he has to see an inquiry from one of these three heart-loving clubs as a unique opportunity. He can be more confident that the chance will come again.
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Alonso has not given any clear denials to any rumors. “That’s a direct question, but I don’t have a direct answer,” he said in the Liverpool case, for example. And just kept winning with Leverkusen, who were still unbeaten this season. When asked whether he would now use the same formulation in relation to Bayern, he said: “I think something like that.” It is simply “not the right moment to talk about it.” He is not annoyed by the rumors , he asserted, although the impression was slightly different for the first time on Thursday. And his team is not affected by this: “We had a normal week. We’re all very focused.”
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Ultimately, Alonso is faced with a question of principle: Does he want to be the successor to the sacrosanct Klopp at the world club Liverpool? With an expanded area of responsibility as a team manager that allows less concentration on the training work, which Alonso often meticulously prepares and follows up into the night? Or does he want to carry out the difficult but attractive reconstruction in Munich, which has recently been very excited again, in which former teammates like Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller are no longer untouchable? Or does he want to continue working on building up his team in a quiet environment with less charisma in Leverkusen?
“It’s a very, very hard job for Tuchel now”
FC Bayern and coach Thomas Tuchel will go their separate ways at the end of the season. WELT TV football reporter Paul Klinzing is surprised by the timing of the announcement: “This is a very difficult situation for both sides.”
Many around Bayer believe that the number of titles will ultimately play a role in his decision. Only Xabi Alonso knows whether each of the three possible successes increases the likelihood that Alonso will stay or that he will leave because the mission seems accomplished. If any.
