Bayern Munich Next Manager Odds: Xabi Alonso installed as 3/1 favourite

Xabi Alonso is the 3/1 favourite to become the next manager of Bayern Munich following the announcement that Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season.

After weeks of speculation and a disastrous sequence of results, the Bundesliga giants have decided they will part company with Tuchel upon conclusion of the current campaign.

We've priced up a market on who will succeed the German at the Allianz Arena, with Xabi Alonso top of the betting and Jose Mourinho second favourite to take over.

bet365's Steve Freeth said: "Bayern might now turn their attentions to the manager that could deprive them of their first Bundesliga title since 2012 in the form of Xabi Alonso, though Liverpool might have a thing or two to say about that."

Bayern Munich Next Manager Odds

Having been dumped out of the DFB-Pokal in the third round by FC Saarbrücken and falling eight points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern face the prospect of a season without silverware for the first time since 2012.

The spotlight was on Tuchel after a series of underwhelming performances and a 3-0 defeat to title rivals Leverkusen only heightened speculation over his future.

Bayern's woes were exacerbated when they were beaten by Lazio in the Champions League and the situation deteriorated further after a shock 3-2 loss to VFL Bochum.

Tuchel joined the club in March 2023 following Julian Nagelsmann's departure and guided the Bavarian outfit to an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, snatching the trophy from Borussia Dortmund's clutches on the final day of the season.

Despite securing the marquee capture of Harry Kane in the summer, Bayern missed the opportunity to get silverware under their belt after defeat to RB Leipzig in the DFL-Supercup and have struggled by their impeccable standards so far this term, which has culminated in Tuchel's pending exit.

As Bayern commence their search for a fifth manager in six years, we've examined the candidates who are in the frame to take over.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso played for Bayern Munich between 2014 and 2017 under Pep Guardiola and won three Bundesliga titles, one German Cup and one German Super Cup.

The Spaniard is currently Bayern's nemesis having orchestrated Bayer Leverkusen's charge towards a maiden league title, Alonso has impressed his peers with a progressive brand of football that has entertained and yielded results.

What's even more spectacular is that, under Alonso's stewardship, Leverkusen are the only unbeaten club in all competitions in the top divisions of Europe’s 54 leagues this season.

Under contract at the BayArena until 2026, Alonso is also the 8/11 frontrunner to take the vacant managerial position at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave the club at the end of the current season.

Jose Mourinho

He's won league titles in England, Italy and Spain so you can imagine Jose Mourinho would be eager to add the Bundesliga to his illustrious trophy collection.

His stock is considerably lower than it has been in previous years and the Portuguese tactician has been without a job since being sacked by Roma in January.

Mourinho's style may not align with Bayern's principals but it would be great entertainment watching the Special One strut his stuff in the technical area for one of Europe's superpowers.

Roberto De Zerbi

With his name also in the running for managerial vacancies at Liverpool and Barcelona, Roberto De Zerbi is one of Europe's most highly-sought coaches.

Having led Brighton to their best-ever league finish last term, the Italian has followed it up this campaign by paving the Seagulls' passage to the Europa League knockout stages and knocking on the door of the Premier League's top six.

With a possession-based style that is bold and unique, it feels as though it's only a matter of time before one of Europe's elite clubs come calling.

Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp shocked the football world at the end of January with his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.

The last manager to win the Bundesliga on behalf of a club that wasn't Bayern Munich, Klopp enjoyed a fabulous tussle with the Bavarian giants during his seven-year stint with Borussia Dortmund.

Declaring he will not manage a club or country for at least another year, Klopp has also previously remarked that he's turned Bayern "a few times" over the course of his managerial career.

Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since his decision to step down as manager of Real Madrid in 2021. 

‘Zizou’ failed to win a trophy in his final campaign with Los Blancos but his managerial stints at the Santiago Bernabeu were a roaring success, winning the Champions League three seasons in a row and securing two La Liga titles across two spells with the Spanish giants.

The Frenchman is a serial winner and his Champions League know-how will appeal to the Bayern board.