Bayern Munich could be set to appoint an interim manager to replace outgoing head coach Thomas Tuchel in a bid to wait out Xabi Alonso's spell at Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports in Germany.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder has enjoyed a prodigious stint in charge of the Bundesliga side, and in just his second season at the helm, helped them to secure their first-ever league title.
In an unprecedented unbeaten season across all competitions, Leverkusen also remain in contention for German Cup and Europa League honours.
With Tuchel set to leave Munich at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, Alonso had long been discussed as the front-runner to takeover at his former club - only for the 42-year-old to double-down on his commitment to his current side and announce his intentions to honour his contract.
But despite entertaining the appointment of a range of other candidates - including former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi - Alonso may still play a large role in Bayern's future planning.
As per Kicker, the club are believed to be toying with employing a manager as an interim boss for a period in a bid to wait out Alonso's spell at their Bundesliga rivals - or even ahead of making an audacious move for outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach announced his intention to step down after nine celebrated years at Anfield in January, citing a lack of 'energy', and Klopp is not thought to be entertaining an immediate return to management.
However, Bayern appear hopeful that after a break from the rigours of coaching a top-flight side, Klopp could be tempted back to his home country's league.
Names thought to be in contention for an interim role at the club include ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre, and one of their former coaches, Hansi Flick.
Flick previously left the side after being lured by Germany's football federation to take over the national team, but after an unimpressive tenure in charge, the 59-year-old was replaced by another former Bayern man, Julian Nagelsmann.
Despite being sacked igniminiously in March of last year, Bayern were gearing up to make a shock play to return him to the dugout at the Allianz - only for Nagelsmann to ink a brand-new contract extension to keep him with Die Mannschaft until after the 2026 World Cup.
Favre is believed to be a choice favoured by the club's director of sport Max Eberl, who previously worked with the former Nice head coach at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The idea of appointing an interim coach represents a sea change for the serial champions, who were last in hot pursuit of Zidane, and alleged to be closing in on appointing the former World Cup winner.
The deal may have been frayed however by reports that Zidane has been monitoring the tumult at Old Trafford, and is said to be more interested in taking up the mantle at Manchester United than a spell in the Bundesliga.
Despite mixed messages, Eberl told German outlets that the club were keen to make their decision before the end of the month.
'We're in very, very good shape and hope that we'll get further there soon,' Eberl said on Saturday. 'I've already said that we would ideally have a new coach at the end of April. But if it takes a little longer, then it takes a little longer.
'I know that time is running out.
'It is also our intention that we want to do it quickly, but we still want to do it as cleanly and as thoroughly as necessary.
'We are now very, very final and will hopefully be able to announce something soon.'
After a rollercoaster season under former Chelsea boss Tuchel, who was handed his marching orders in February, Bayern are out of contention in all competitions save for the Champions League.
The German side beat Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate after scoring the necessary goal at the Allianz during their second-leg quarter-final meeting on Wednesday, and will meet Zidane's former club Real Madrid in their semi-final next Tuesday.