Xabi Alonso stays in Leverkusen. The search for a coach at FC Bayern continues. Who is now at the top of the wish list? Among others, the names Rangnick, Zidane and De Zerbi are circulating at the record champions.
FC Bayern has to cross another top candidate as the successor to coach Thomas Tuchel from their wish list. After Sebastian Hoeneß, who prematurely extended his contract with VfB Stuttgart, Xabi Alonso also turned down the Munich team: The 42-year-old remains coach at Bayer Leverkusen.
Uli Hoeneß had already suspected it: In an exclusive interview with BR24Sport, the honorary president of FC Bayern said that the record champions would like to sign the former Bayern player, but the return campaign would be “very difficult, not to say probably impossible.” The 72-year-old turned out to be right.
Coach Zidane/Ribéry would make the Bayern fans happy
Now the search for a coach continues – there are many candidates and rumors. Bayern fans’ hearts beat faster, especially when the “Bild” newspaper thought about it: Franck Ribéry, the crowd’s favorite in Munich, could return to the Isar – as assistant to star coach Zinédine Zidane. But there’s a catch: Zidane doesn’t speak any German and only a little English, making it difficult to communicate with the many Bayern stars in the dressing room.
Rangnick and De Zerbi continue to race
According to “Kicker”, Ralf Rangnick is the number one preferred candidate after Alonso’s rejection. The name of the Austrian national coach was already discussed in 2019 as the successor to Niko Kovac, who then won the DFB Cup against RB Leipzig, then coached by Rangnick, and thus saved himself into the new season. In addition to his sporting successes, the 65-year-old, who qualified for the 2024 European Championship with the Austrians, also has his friendship with Bayern’s sports director Christoph Freund. The two know each other from their time together at Red Bull Salzburg.
Roberto De Zerbi from the English first division club Brighton & Hove Albion should also still be on the Bayern bosses’ list. The Italian has long since gained respect in the Premier League: with few financial resources, his team plays convincing offensive football and finished last season in sixth place. There was also praise from Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola: “He is one of the most influential coaches of the last 20 years. There is no team that plays like that. It is unique!” According to a report by “Sport Bild”, FC Bayern are said to have already contacted De Zerbi.
Nagelsmann comeback at FCB?
There will also be discussions about former coaches at the record champions: Triple coach Hansi Flick can well imagine returning now that his worst opponent Hasan Salihamidzic is no longer at the club.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann is also part of the rumor mill. Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of FC Bayern, at least did not completely deny such considerations in the evening newspaper: “I think other people have already said that, that you should never rule out anything in football. But that is a thing of the future and not an issue today .” And Uli Hoeneß emphasized in the BR24Sport interview that “not enough patience was shown” in the Nagelsmann case. Ending Julian Nagelsmann’s long-term project early, even though the Munich team was still represented in the league, cup and Champions League at that point, was, in retrospect, “actually not a thing that suits FC Bayern,” said Hoeneß.
Eberl doesn’t want a “quick fix”
Max Eberl would like a prompt decision on the coaching question: “We’re starting in April, it would be nice if we could get it done in April without me telling myself that this is the ultimate day,” said the sports director in an interview with “Sky”. “We’re looking at several coaches,” said Eberl, “we’re sounding things out, we’re looking at what’s really feasible. We’re trying to find the right coach,” said Eberl and added: “We want the best decision.”
But the pressure on the 50-year-old is great. Many stars want to make a contract extension dependent on the new coach. Nevertheless, he doesn’t want a “quick fix where we say: ‘Big name is possible, it’s free, we’ll get him!'”.
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Source: BR24Sport March 29, 2024 – 6:15 p.m
