New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was Bayern Munich’s top choice had Kompany left
Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager following a turbulent season with three different managers. Alonso was Bayern Munich's top choice to replace Thomas Tuchel in 2024, but he declined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. Although he later left Real Madrid in January 2026, his managerial reputation remains strong, and he was set to take over at Bayern if Vincent Kompany had departed this summer.
- ▪Xabi Alonso was Bayern Munich's first-choice manager to succeed Thomas Tuchel in 2024.
- ▪Alonso declined Bayern's offer at the time and instead remained at Bayer Leverkusen before joining Real Madrid.
- ▪Bayern Munich turned to Vincent Kompany after Alonso's refusal, and Kompany has since performed well as manager.
- ▪A report from The Telegraph stated Alonso would have been a certainty to take over at Bayern if Kompany had left in 2026.
- ▪Alonso's tenure at Real Madrid ended in January 2026, but his status as a top managerial prospect remains intact.
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