Xabi Alonso stays in Leverkusen: Bayern Munich’s preferred candidate to succeed coach Thomas Tuchel ended speculation about a move next summer. For the trade magazine “kicker”, ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick is now Bayern’s plan B. The 65-year-old said that he generally does not comment on rumors.
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Rangnick was already a candidate for the German soccer record champions in 2019, who then appointed Hansi Flick as Niko Kovac’s successor. After that, the timing was no longer right – and it currently looks like it is: Rangnick’s contract with the ÖFB runs at least until the end of 2025. ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel recently said that he was not worried that Rangnick could terminate it prematurely, ” “Because I have the impression that Ralf totally identifies with the team and wants to be as successful as possible with them.” Rangnick’s goal is to be part of the finals with a national team. “And he definitely wants to go to a World Cup,” said Schöttel.
But that was before Alonso’s change cancellation. “I’m in the right place,” explained the 42-year-old. “I’m still a young coach, I think this is the best decision for my future.”
The Spaniard’s contract in Leverkusen runs until 2026, although there is an option to exit after the coming season. Will Bayern then make another attempt? Rangnick has already worked successfully as a one-year interim solution: When Julian Nagelsmann announced before the 2018/19 season that he would be leaving Hoffenheim at the end of the season and moving to Leipzig, Rangnick stepped in and led the East Germans to third place.
Rangnick has a good relationship with Bayern’s sports director Christoph Freund after working together in the Red Bull stable. However, Rangnick’s commitment would have a serious disadvantage for Bayern: the ÖFB team boss could be tied to Austria until mid-July if the tournament goes well at the European Championships.
Bayern decision in April?
Roberto De Zerbi from the English Premier League club Brighton is on the list of alternatives, while Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane are also linked to the Munich team. Bayern’s sports director Max Eberl did not want to commit to a fixed date for the search for a coach at Sky. “It would be nice if we could get it done in April. If it takes a little longer, it just takes a little longer,” he said. Eberl did not comment on names.
- German Bundesliga, 27th round: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.: Leverkusen – Hoffenheim, Leipzig – Mainz, Frankfurt – Union Berlin, Mönchengladbach – Freiburg, Bremen – Wolfsburg; 6.30 p.m.: Bayern Munich – Dortmund. Sunday, 3:30 p.m.: Augsburg – Cologne; 5.30 p.m.: Stuttgart – Heidenheim; 7.30 p.m.: Bochum – Darmstadt.
Author
Günther Mayrhofer
Sports editor
Günther Mayrhofer
