Bayern Munich chief stated that Xabi Alonso, who is being pursued by Liverpool, will not be departing Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Head coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen was seen observing the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion on March 17, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Liverpool’s hopes of securing Xabi Alonso as Jurgen Klopp’s successor appear to be fading, as Bayern Munich’s honorary president has admitted that a deal is “probably impossible.” The Bayer Leverkusen manager has been widely regarded as the frontrunner to take over from Klopp at Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Alonso has strong ties to Liverpool, having spent five years there as a player. However, British media reports suggest that the Reds are now exploring other options, as they do not believe Alonso will be available this summer.

The Spaniard is currently enjoying a successful season in his early managerial career, with Leverkusen sitting comfortably at the top of the Bundesliga table, 10 points clear of their nearest rivals. They have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Bayern Munich, who will also be in need of a new head coach as Thomas Tuchel departs at the end of the season, have also shown interest in Alonso. However, the club’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, believes that securing Alonso’s services in the upcoming transfer window will be a challenge.

“We’ll have to see if we can do it this year,” Hoeness stated. “It will be difficult, if not probably impossible.”

Hoeness added that Alonso is more inclined to stay at Leverkusen due to their current success, as he would not want to abandon the team. He suggested that if Leverkusen continues to achieve success in the next few years, it may be easier to lure Alonso away.

With only eight games remaining in the Bundesliga season, Leverkusen is in a strong position to secure their first-ever league title. Despite finishing as runners-up on five occasions between 1997 and 2011, Alonso looks set to end their drought in just his second season as a senior manager.

With Alonso seemingly out of contention, The Telegraph reports that Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are the frontrunners for the Liverpool job. Klopp shocked the football world in January when he announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the season after nine successful years in charge, during which he won the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.

Liverpool recently clinched the League Cup and remain in contention for two more trophies before the season concludes. They currently sit second in the league standings, level on points with leaders Arsenal but behind on goal difference. Additionally, they will face Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Europa League next month.