Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel will part ways at the end of the current Bundesliga season, leaving the managerial role open for 2024/25.
The Bavarian giants are currently on track to fail to win the domestic league for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund beat them into second place in 2011/12.
Several big names are already being floated as Bayern look to return to their high standards.
The Sporting News takes a look at some of the early candidates.
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Next Bayern Munich manager: The candidates
Xabi Alonso
Bayern have a habit of poaching talent from other Bundesliga clubs, so it makes sense they go for the man in charge of the league’s hottest team.
Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying a stunning campaign under Xabi Alonso and currently sit on top of the table, undefeated and with an eight-point lead over Bayern.
Alonso is also being linked with a move to Liverpool to replace Klopp, having played at Anfield between 2004 and 2009. The former Spain midfielder finished his career at Bayern, who he joined during Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
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The 42-year-old’s coaching philosophy is centred around inviting opposition pressure and then exploiting the resulting spaces.
Having only joined Leverkusen in 2022, Alonso has proved he can develop a system and achieve results in a relatively short period.
Jose Mourinho
When any top club has a managerial opening, you can expect Jose Mourinho to be considered.
‘The Special One’ has managed 10 different clubs in his eventful career but is yet to ply his trade in Germany.
Could Bayern be the right fit?
With a résumé that includes 26 major trophies and two Champions League titles, the Bayern board could view him as an attractive option to re-install a winning culture.
Jurgen Klopp
After a memorable tenure on Merseyside, Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the current Premier League campaign.
His high-energy style and success in the top flight make him a logical choice to succeed Tuchel.
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Klopp’s experience managing in Germany as Borussia Dortmund boss will also put him in good stead, although coaching BVB’s sworn enemies might not sit well with a figure still adored at Signal Iduna Park.
Also, part of his reason for leaving Liverpool was due to “running out of energy”, so he may wish to take at least one season off to recuperate before diving back into elite European football.
Zinedine Zidane
French football icon Zinedine Zidane has been without a coaching gig since 2021.
After finishing his career at Real Madrid as a player, he remained with the club and worked his way up to the head coach role.
His career win rate of 62.5% is impressive and has seen him linked with many top teams.
After three years out of a job, diving into one of the most high-pressure gigs in European football would be a challenge, but it’s not out of the question.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not managed since departing Manchester United in 2021.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reported the Bavarian club was monitoring the Norwegian as an interim solution.
This was before the announcement of Tuchel’s departure, though, and it’s unclear whether Bayern would still consider the 50-year-old as a longer-term option.
Next Bayern Munich manager odds
Odds via SkyBet. Last updated Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
| Manager | Odds |
| Xabi Alonso | 3.00 |
| Jose Mourinho | 5.00 |
| Jürgen Klopp | 6.00 |
| Zinedine Zidane | 9.00 |
| Antonio Conte | 10.00 |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 10.00 |
| Luis Enrique | 12.00 |
| Julen Lopetegui | 14.00 |
| Ruben Amorim | 14.00 |
| Roberto De Zerbi | 14.00 |