Bayern’s Eberl says previous Alonso pursuit counts for nothing

New Sport director Max Eberl poses on the pitch of Bayern Munich’s football stadion ‘Allianz Arena’ after being officialy presented as new sport director of the German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich in Munich, southern Germany, on February 27, 2024. (Photo by ALEXANDRA BEIER / AFP)

The New Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said Tuesday that his previous attempt to sign Xabi Alonso for Borussia Moenchengladbach does not necessarily mean the German champions will target the Spaniard.

Bayern on Monday named Eberl as managing director of sport until 2027.

The 50-year-old held similar roles at Borussia Moenchengladbach and RB Leipzig, where he was known for spotting exciting young players.

But Eberl’s first task is to find Bayern a new coach, with Thomas Tuchel set to leave in the summer.

“We have to put the puzzle together, with players and a new coach,” Eberl told reporters.

Former Bayern midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso, who has his unbeaten side on course for a first-ever Bundesliga title, has been heavily linked with the job.

Eberl tried to bring Alonso to Gladbach in 2021, when he was in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team.

Eberl on Tuesday said he “was not going to comment on names” but admitted he was a long-term admirer of the former Spain international.

“During my talks with Xabi three years ago, he was the coach of the (Real Sociedad) second team.

“He told me it was a touch too early, ‘I have to get some more experience here’, and that’s what I really liked about him.

“But you can’t draw any conclusions between that and today.”

In addition to Alonso, German media have linked former Real Madrid coach and France’s 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane with Bayern.

Eberl said