Bayern Munich chief reacts to Jose Mourinho ‘learning German’ | Football

The Bundesliga giants have begun the process of looking for a new manager after Tuchel announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso quickly emerging as their preferred target.

But there are other names in the frame too, with suggestions that Mourinho – who was sacked by Roma earlier this year – has been ‘learning German’ and is keen to try and add a Bundesliga title to his glittering CV.

Eberl, who is leading Bayern’s hunt for a new manager, did not shoot down the links with Mourinho and says it would be remiss not to assess currently out-of-work managers.

Asked about Bayern’s managerial shortlist, he told Sport Bild: ‘There are more than four, but certainly not 40 names on it.

‘It is our duty to think everything through – there are also unusual ideas on the list. We’re exchanging ideas in order to get the best possible essence: We need and want to get to know people and their entourage.

‘We want to identify a lot of things in advance and then hold the two or three final discussions at the end.’

Asked outright if Mourinho could be one of those ‘unusual ideas’, Eberl replied: ‘Of course we’re also looking into coaches who are currently available.’

Probed on whether the rumours about Mourinho taking German lessons are true, and how fluent he currently is, Eberl added: ‘I don’t know.’

On whether knowing German is imperative, he continued: ‘If I were to limit myself like that in terms of language, age or coaching career, it would be a mistake.

‘The focus is open and then gradually becomes smaller. We want a coach who doesn’t stay for a short period of time, but is here for the medium and long term.

‘This is an important constant when it comes to squad planning and strategy. The frequent changes of coach have recently been a problem for the club.’

There have also been suggestions in the German media that Bayern could try and tempt Klopp into a U-turn over his plans for a sabbatical after he leaves Liverpool at the end of the season, though Eberl played down the reports.

‘I know what it means when Kloppo says he is running out of energy. Few people can judge that better than me, because I went through it,’ said the Bayern chief. ‘When a person says that, the job comes second. And people come first. That’s why I’m not going to call him.’

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