After it was confirmed that Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso would not be leaving the club, Bayern Munich turned their attention towards Zinedine Zidane, who is without a club at this moment and had already announced that he is open to a managerial comeback.
Zidane left Real Madrid in 2021 after rejoining them in 2019 and has not taken any managerial job since then. After his latest interview confirming he is eager to return to coaching, officials at the Bavarian started to see the Frenchman as the ideal option to replace Thomas Tuchel, who is set to step down at the end of the season.
However, as per Spanish news outlet AS, Zidane joining Bayern in the summer is very unlikely although it cannot be ruled out. While Real Madrid too is keeping an eye on the Frenchman, they have, as of now, no plans of rehiring him.
Remember, Zidane amassed unmatched success in his very short managerial career with Madrid, he is the only manager in the history of football to have won the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for three consecutive years.
After an illustrious playing career that saw the World Cup winner be hailed among the greatest midfielders of all time, Zidane became Real manager in 2016.
Across two stints as Madrid boss, he won three Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns before stepping down in 2021.
Earlier, Alonso confirmed that he will be staying at Leverkusen as his job at the German club is not yet finished.
“I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and I informed them that I will stay and continue at the club,” Alonso said as quoted by The Telegraph.
“After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. This is the place to be for me.”
Alonso’s Leverkusen is currently competing for the treble as his side has a decisive 10-point lead over Bayern in the league, they are in the DFB Pokal semi-final and will also take on West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final.
“My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great … it’s all fantastic here.”