Alonso preferred candidate as Bayern announce Tuchel exit in summer

Liverpool target Xabi Alonso is the preferred candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel after Bayern Munich confirmed they will part ways with the manager this summer – while they are also looking at Zinedine Zidane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The pressure increased on Tuchel after Sunday's 3-2 loss at Bochum left his side eight points behind Alonso's Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and condemned Bayern to a third defeat in a row after they were beaten 1-0 at Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie last week.

Facing a first trophyless season in 12 years, Bayern's primary plan was to reach the end of the campaign with Tuchel and assess the situation, but they announced on Wednesday that the former Chelsea boss will leave the club.

"We have agreed that we will end our working relationship at the end of this season," said Tuchel.

"Until then, I will of course continue to do everything I can with my coaching staff to achieve maximum success."