REPORT: Xabi Alonso expected to snub Liverpool for Bayern Munich switch

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso is leaning towards replacing Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich over filling Jurgen Klopp’s big shoes at Liverpool, according to a Sky Sports report.

Klopp’s January announcement that he would depart the club he joined in 2015 stunned everyone on Merseyside, and reports immediately made Alonso the front-runner to replace the departing German manager, who won every title possible in his nine years at Anfield.

Alonso has reiterated his commitment to Leverkusen despite the non-stop rumours linking him with his former club, with whom he won the 2005 Champions League final after an unimaginable comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul.

However, the latest reports from Sky in Germany indicate the 42-year-old is not keen on the Premier League switch.

According to Friday’s news coming out of Germany, Bayern are optimistic that Alonso prefers a move to the club he represented for three years from 2014 to 2017 before retiring.

Earlier this week, Bayern’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, claimed the Bavarians, Liverpool and Real Madrid were keen on naming the Leverkusen boss as their next head coach.

"He's [Alonso's] proven that he can be a coach for the big time,” Hoeness told German news outlet Ran Sport. "Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid and FC Bayern are working on it.”

Sky Germany’s latest revelation indicates that Bayern have received a positive feedback from Alonso, even if formal negotiations are yet to take place.

After the March international break, Alonso and his unbeaten Leverkusen side continue their push for an unprecedented treble when they return to Bundesliga action against Hoffenheim at BayArena on March 30 before facing Fortuna Dusseldorf in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals on April 3.

Subsequently, they travel to Union Berlin three days later before the first of a Europa League doubleheader against West Ham United on April 11.