THOMAS TUCHEL looks increasingly likely to get the boot as Bayern Munich join Liverpool in the race to land Xabi Alonso.
Bayern Munich have now slipped five points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and it looks likely their 11 year reign at the top of the table will dribble to an end.
Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Lazio in the first leg of the Champions League - coming only four days after Leverkusen thrashed them 3-0 in the Bundesliga - spelled doom for Tuchel.
The former Chelsea boss only joined the German giants 11 months ago and his contract is not due to expire until 2025.
But according to The Times his future is hanging by a thread.
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez
If things get any worse for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, or if they fail to make a comeback against Lazio in the second leg of their tie, then a mid season sacking might be afoot.
Hansi Flick, the only coach ever to be sacked from the German national team, is rumoured as a potential caretaker manager.
But it is Alonso they really want and they are allegedly hoping the Spaniard will jump ship from their main Bundesliga rivals.
The Spaniard, 42, has already been touted to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and now Manchester City are even in the equation.
So it's hardly surprising that the out of form Bayern Munich have joined the race to get their hands on Europe's hottest ticket.
Alonso played for Bayern between 2014 and 2017, and the German giants are likely hoping this might swing the odds in their favour.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Speaking after the Lazio fiasco in Rome, the Bayern Munich sporting director, Christoph Freund, said: “Of course Tuchel is struggling with the situation, which is very difficult for all of us.
"We are all in the same boat.
"It is not easy, but we will get out of this together.
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
"That is our goal.”
Things are not going so well elsewhere in the Bayern Munich ranks.
Harry Kane's recent fall from glory has led fans to believe the striker has a 'trophy curse', as England's record goalscorer just can't seem to get his hands on any silverware.
In an exciting twist, Tuchel has now been linked with Barca, who previously shortlisted him after Ronald Koeman's exit in 2021.