Xabi Alonso is not expected to be on Liverpool’s shortlist this summer, with the Premier League side expecting him to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso was believed to be a strong target to replace Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving Anfield at the end of the season.
Bayern Munich were also keen to appoint their former player as a replacement for the departing Thomas Tuchel.
But the former Liverpool midfielder is now believed to be staying with Leverkusen, who he has led to the brink of their first Bundesliga title in his first full season as manager.
After three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022, with the side in the bottom half of the Bundesliga.
The 42-year-old engineered an improvement that led to Europa League qualification. In Alonso’s second season, Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions and set to end Bayern’s 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga title.
Liverpool have begun to reshape their hierarchy ahead of appointing a new manager, with Michael Edwards, the former sporting director, returning as owner Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football.
Edwards then recruited Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes as sporting director. Hughes helped to appoint Andoni Iraola, who shares an agent with Alonso, as Cherries boss last summer.
Bayern expect to miss out on Alonso
Bayern also believe Alonso will stay with Leverkusen, with Uli Hoeness, their honorary president, telling German broadcaster ARD: “I feel that it will be very difficult to sign Xabi Alonso, not to say probably impossible.
“I can certainly imagine him staying at Bayer Leverkusen to continue his job. [He] is more inclined to stay in view of their current successes because he would not want to leave them behind.
“Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there.”
Sky Germany reported earlier this month that Bayern had opened discussions with Alonso about a summer move, while Hoeness claimed Real Madrid – as well as Liverpool – were rivalling the German giants for his signature.
Speaking to Ran Sport, he said: “He’s proven he can be a coach for the big time.
“Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and Bayern are working on it.”
Sky Germany reported Alonso was Bayern’s preferred candidate and believed he was open to returning to the Allianz Arena.
Alonso was expected to cost Bayern between £12.8m and £21.3m this summer. The manager has a £12.8m release clause in his contract but it does not become active until the summer of 2025.