Sensational return on the cards as Bayern Munich settle on Julian Nagelsmann as top candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel after being snubbed by Xabi Alonso

Bayern have been trying to find a successor for manager Tuchel ever since he revealed he would step down at the end of the season. Alonso was their top target but he chose to stay put at Leverkusen. Now, according to German publication Bild, the club's new sporting director, Max Eberl, wants to bring back former manager and current German national team boss Nagelsmann.

Eberl recently said on the search for a new manager: “At some point the white smoke will rise. April would be good, if not, then it will happen when it happens.”

While the 36-year-old is reportedly his favourite to succeed Tuchel in Bayern's dugout, he made it clear he doesn't have the final say.

“We get a coach for FC Bayern and FC Bayern decides. There are people who are responsible for this and they will then appoint the trainer. Bayern is looking for a coach, not Max Eberl is looking for a coach. There are responsibilities as to who is looking for the coach, and that is usually the sport," said Eberl.

Nagelsmann won the Bundesliga, two DFL-Supercups, and a win percentage of 71.4% during his 20 months in charge of the German giants but was sacked and replaced by Tuchel in March 2023. Six months later he went onto become Germany coach and is set to lead the national side at this year's Euros, which are on home soil. While Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte have been linked with the Bavarians, it appears they may settle for Nagelsmann.

If Nagelsmann is Bayern's first choice, negotiations are likely to continue between the two parties in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Bayern - who could lose their defending Bundesliga champions tag this weekend - host Koln on Saturday. If they fail to win, the title goes to Leverkusen.