Hoeness confirms Bayern Munich interest in Xabi Alonso, acknowledges it will be ‘difficult’ to sign him

Uli Hoeness, the honorary president of Bayern Munich, said on Thursday that it was “probably impossible” to sign in-demand manager Xabi Alonso to the team.

The Bayer Leverkusen coach, who played for three years in Munich, is Bayern’s top choice to replace Thomas Tuchel, who is set to step down in the summer.

With eight games remaining, Alonso’s Leverkusen are leading the Bundesliga by ten points and are aiming for their first-ever league title.

Leverkusen, who has won 34 games and drawn four this season, is still undefeated and is in the German Cup semifinals as well as the last eight of the Europa League.

Speaking to Bavarian television, Hoeness revealed Bayern’s interest in Alonso but said he would continue at Leverkusen after the season. “We’ll have to see if we can do it this year. It will be difficult, if not probably impossible,” he said.

He also added, “(Alonso) is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind. Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there.”

Alonso has been linked to Real Madrid, Bayern and Liverpool, where he played in the past.