Chelsea eye Liverpool manager target after Xabi Alonso 'makes preference clear'

05 March 2024 , 13:47

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Xabi Alonso is said to favour Bayern Munich over Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

If Liverpool miss out on No.1 target Xabi Alonso then they could face a battle from Chelsea for Ruben Amorim.

The Reds have been working in the background since Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would be standing down at the end of the season with Alonso quickly emerging as the standout candidate to replace Klopp. The Spaniard, 42, has excelled in his first senior management role at Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in all competitions this term and appear en route to a first ever Bundesliga title.

Unfortunately for the Reds, Bayern Munich are also in the market for a new head coach and Alonso is their primary choice to succeed Thomas Tuchel. The Reds have alternative options in mind if Alonso heads to Bavaria, chiefly Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim.

But the highly-rated Portuguese is attracting attention from Stamford Bridge and, as reported by The Guardian, is being monitored by the powers-that-be at Chelsea.

The Reds' Premier League rivals are keeping an open mind in the wake of Mauricio Pochettino 's turbulent maiden season, with the Blues languishing in 11th place following another underwhelming season. Pochettino was subjected to derogatory chants from fans during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brentford, a week after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool at Wembley.

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With Chelsea expected to review Pochettino's position, there's an increased likelihood that they could rival Liverpool for the services of Amorim. Current Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has also been mooted as a potential candidate, despite their recent decline.

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Liverpool target Ruben Amorim is also being monitored by Chelsea (Getty Images)

Bayern Munich are making a big play for Alonso, after opening talks his representatives, per Sky Germany. Sources in Germany have claimed that Alonso may be leaning towards moving to the Allianz Arena rather than Anfield this summer.

Mirror Football outlined over the weekend that Liverpool were expected to interview Amorim regardless of whether or not Alonso was available in the summer. Club officials were in Lisbon last week to take in Sporting's 2-1 win over Benfica in the first leg of the Taca da Liga semi-finals.

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Dan Marsh