Bayern Munich: Where will the German giants go next and who will sign Xabi Alonso?

Bayern Munich face the unusual prospect of a trophy-less season, but whatever happens over the rest of the campaign, it will be a summer of change for the German giants.

The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund manager, who only took over last March, looks set to miss out on the Bundesliga title against Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen.

This means Bayern are looking for a new manager who will be tasked with orchestrating a swift return to dominating the Bundesliga once again.

Will they turn to Alonso? And what's next for Tuchel?

BBC Sport looks into this with the help of European football experts Guillem Balag, Mina Luzouki and Archie Lind-Tutt.

The season melted away in a blink of an eye

Bayern winning the Bundesliga has often felt like a formality.

They have won every season since 2012, but this season they face the very real prospect of losing to Leverkusen and missing out on the title.

Alonso's side are eight points clear at the top of the table with 12 games remaining and will need some decline in form to miss out on a first league title.

Bayern's domestic cup competition has already been wiped out after losing to third-tier Saarbrücken in November, leaving the Champions League as their only real chance of winning a trophy. Still, they need to turn around their 1-0 first-leg loss to Lazio in the last-16 tie.

Whatever happens, it looks like it will be a summer of big changes for the club.

“In the end, we didn't get Tuchel.'' bayern From the Bayern national team,” German football expert Rindt-Tutt said on BBC Radio 5 Live's EuroLeague podcast.

He added: “There are things you can say about him, but ultimately there are bigger questions about the team and the players who are likely to leave in the summer.”

“They are seriously considering sacking Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies, and they want to wreak havoc.”

Did Alonso seek a managerial merry-go-round?

Unless his future is clear by then, all eyes will be on Leverkusen manager Alonso this summer.

The 42-year-old former Spain midfielder played for both Bayern Munich and Liverpool before retiring, and has strong links with the managers of both clubs.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Premier League leaders Liverpool in the summer and Alonso, who played for the Reds from 2004 to 2009, is seen as a fan favorite.

Balague said: “If he was going to go to another club next, would he want to go to Liverpool, where he can bring out his current potential to the fullest, or do he want to go to Liverpool, where he has more room for improvement and although his level has dropped?'' Do you want to go?” he said. You can still win everything – Bayern Munich.

“I think Bayern is the more interesting option for him at this stage of his career.”

Luzuki added: “Liverpool has to be the most attractive option, but we have to live up to Klopp's reputation and we also have to face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.” .

“I'm keeping an eye on his ability. People will have a lot of expectations whether he's going to Liverpool, Bayern or staying at Leverkusen. If I were him, I'd probably hang around. I will wait for Real Madrid.”

Rindt-Tutt feels Bayern are not the best fit for Alonso and the 33-time German champion could be tempted by other potentially available candidates, including Aston Villa manager Unai Emery. I think it's sexual.

“At Bayern, Alonso is being forced into political games that he has no interest in,” he said.

“We've seen how that can exhaust a manager and Liverpool would be the smarter step for him at this stage.”

Reindt-Tutt added: “I have seen that Emery has been linked with Bayern, but another modest suggestion would be a player who had a great season in the Bundesliga, namely Sebastian Hoeness from Stuttgart.” .

“They are playing the best football in the league, better than Bayern, who had to change their whole approach to stop them.”

Another manager who could be affected by big club moves this summer is Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

If Alonso chooses Bayern or remains at Leverkusen, he is said to be on Liverpool's list, but there are also rumors that he could replace Xavi, who, like Barcelona, ​​leaves at the end of the season.

“Alonso seems like the guy everyone wants,” added Luzuki. “There aren't many people named other than De Zerbi.''

Where next for Tuchel?

Tuchel has won numerous trophies during his managerial career, winning Ligue 1 twice with PSG and the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and last season with Bayern after taking over as manager in March. Won the Bundesliga title in Munich.

Not winning the title this year will be seen as a failure, but it is due to Leverkusen's relentless and incredible run of form.

Bayern's average points per game so far this season is actually better than the previous two seasons, when they won the Bundesliga.

As such, Tuchel's stock remains high and he is likely to be a candidate for many top clubs this summer.

According to reports, the 50-year-old German There is a possibility of a return to the Premier League He was away from Barcelona for the first time since leaving Chelsea in 2022. This possibility has also been suggested.

Whatever happens, this summer will be a summer of big moves at some of Europe's biggest clubs.