Thomas Tuchel to leave Bayern Munich in summer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Xabi

Liverpool target Xabi Alonso is Bayern Munich’s No 1 choice to succeed Thomas Tuchel after the Bundesliga champions confirmed they will part ways with the manager this summer – while they are also looking at Zinedine Zidane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The pressure increased on Tuchel after Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Bochum left his side eight points behind Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and condemned Bayern to a third defeat in a row after they were beaten 1-0 at Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie last week.

Facing a first trophyless season in 12 years, Bayern’s primary plan was to reach the end of the campaign with Tuchel and assess the situation, but they announced on Wednesday that the former Chelsea boss will leave the club.

“We have agreed that we will end our working relationship at the end of this season,” said Tuchel.

“Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my coaching staff to achieve maximum success.”

Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen added: “In an open, good conversation we came to the decision to mutually end our collaboration in the summer. Our goal is to carry out a sporting realignment with a new coach for the 2024/25 season.

“Until then, every individual at the club is expressly called upon to achieve the maximum possible in the Champions League and Bundesliga.

“I also explicitly hold the team accountable in this regard. In the Champions League in particular, after losing 1-0 in the first leg at Lazio, we are convinced we will reach the quarter-finals at a packed Allianz Arena with our fans behind us.”

Work is going on in the background regarding Tuchel’s successor and Alonso is considered the preferred solution internally.

The former Liverpool midfielder is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer after impressing at Leverkusen.

Klopp has recently hailed the Spaniard as the “standout” manager from the new generation of bosses.

Another of the most prominent candidates Bayern have been thinking about, in the past few hours and days, is ex-Real Madrid head coach Zidane.

There is nothing concrete at this stage, but what Bayern appreciate about the Frenchman is his aura and experience while he is also immediately available.

The 51-year-old, who has been without a job since leaving Real in May 2021, won the Champions League three times in his managerial time at the Spanish club, while he also led them to the LaLiga title twice.