By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

The top three candidates to replace Tuchel as Bayern coach

Following Xabi Alonso's decision to remain at Bayer Leverkusen, Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick appear to be the main candidates to replace Thomas Tuchel as Bayern Munich coach.
A number of names have been linked with the job as Bayern Munich head coach following the announcement that Thomas Tuchel will be leaving the club at the end of the season.



For a long time, Xabi Alonso appeared to be the Bavarians' top target, but they've been forced to shift their focus to other targets after the Spaniard made it public that he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen beyond the summer.

One name that's been mentioned by numerous sources is Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi. The Times goes so far as to claim that the Italian is now the frontrunner for the job, with Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said to be a particular admirer.

Sky Germany also names De Zerbi as a top candidate for the job, along with current Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The Bavarians are said to have held talks with Nagelsmann about a possible return to the club from which he was sacked in March last year.

Now that Hasan Salihamidzic and Oliver Kahn, who were responsible for Nagelsmann's sacking, are no longer at the club, it seems a real possibility.

However, according to Kicker, there are doubts among some members of the management and some players as to whether the 36-year-old has learned from the mistakes he made during his last stint at the club.

At the same time, Bayern face competition from the German Football Association, who are reportedly keen to extend Nagelsmann's contract as Germany coach, which expires after the European Championship.

The main alternative to De Zerbi and Nagelsmann appears to be Ralf Rangnick, with several reports claiming that Bayern have held talks with the Austria coach.

Kicker reports that the 65-year-old has supporters within the Bayern hierarchy because he's successful, speaks German and has demonstrated that he can lead a squad rebuild without compromise and act in the best interests of the club.

However, according to Sky Germany, Bayern's interest in Rangnick is not great at this stage, although there have been talks with him.

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