Bayern Munich update: What in the hell is going on with Bayern Munich and Xabi Alonso?

“It will be very difficult, not to say probably impossible. I can absolutely imagine him staying in Leverkusen. As I came to know him, he would be more likely to carry on because he wouldn’t want to leave it behind now. He is presently working for a club that is now in the process of becoming the German champion.

He has a lot to credit this club for, and so does the club. If he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to get him out of there. We would like to sign him. But if it doesn’t work, it will be the task of the club’s management to hunt for and discover alternatives.”

“We are looking at several coaches. We are scouting out the choices and assessing what is really doable. Yes, Uli Hoeneß said that Xabi is a topic. That is legitimate. Christoph, and my task is to find the right coach.

We need to have a few chats to find out what would be the best fit. There are general conditions that must be met. Maybe there’s a coach who would be a fantastic fit, but the general conditions are so exorbitant that we say: ‘It might not be a good fit.’

We on the board, with Christoph as sporting director, need to sound things out in order to reach a choice that is the best and possible for everyone. And then to implement it.”

The significant news started to leak in the small hours of the morning in Germany as The Athletic revealed that Alonso was probably not going to leave Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern and Liverpool expect Xabi Alonso to stay at Bayer Leverkusen beyond this season, with both clubs now investigating alternative managerial targets.

Bayern have not received a rejection from Xabi Alonso yet, and hence he remains the club’s plan A. If he decides to leave Leverkusen this summer, Alonso will join Bayern. He’d made his decision not to join Liverpool some time ago.

Xabi Alonso is set to continue at Bayer Leverkusen for one more season. There’s no formal communication yet, but that’s his clear plan. Alonso’s release clause will become active in 2025. Xabi will make and reveal his ultimate decision soon.

So, there you have it. Depending on who and what you believe, your night could have been destroyed (if you wanted Alonso).

Staying in Leverkusen through 2025 does make some sense, but it also carries some risk. Right now, Alonso is the hottest coaching prospect in Europe, and his stick really can only go down (provided 2024/25 includes a committed and dedicated Bayern Munich team to take back the BuLi crown).

Whatever happens, though, Alonso seems to be doing things on his terms and at his own pace, and it looks like it might be hard to get him to adjust.