Zidane, Solskjaer, and Alonso are on Bayern’s shortlist to replace Tuchel

Football icon Zinedine Zidane and Xabi Alonso are targets if Bayern Munich decide to part ways with Thomas Tuchel this summer; ex-Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also part of the  shock potential interim solution should the German side be forced to make a change mid-season

The pressure has increased on Tuchel following Bayern's 3-2 loss at Bochum on Sunday which leaves the German giants eight points behind Alonso's Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

It was also a third straight defeat after they were beaten 1-0 at Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie last week.

Facing a first trophyless season in 12 years, Bayern's primary plan remains to reach the end of the campaign with Tuchel and honestly assess the situation.

Bayern's hierarchy immediately decided to stick with Tuchel after the embarrassing defeat at Bochum with the former Chelsea and PSG boss not considering his resignation.

However, work is going on in the background regarding his potential successor and, in the event of a summer separation from Tuchel, Alonso is considered the preferred solution internally.

The former Liverpool midfielder is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer after impressing at Leverkusen.

Klopp has recently hailed the Spaniard as the "standout" manager from the new generation of bosses.

Another of the most prominent candidates Bayern have been thinking about too, in the past few hours and days, is ex-Real Madrid head coach Zidane.

There is nothing concrete at this stage, but what Bayern appreciates about the Frenchman is his aura and experience while he is also immediately available.

Zidane resigned from his second stint as Real Madrid manager in May 2021

The 51-year-old, who has been without a job since leaving Real in May 2021, won the Champions League three times in his managerial time at the Spanish club, while he also won La Liga twice.

Bayern have also been looking at ex-Manchester United boss Solskjaer as a potential interim solution should they be forced to make a change before the end of the campaign.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund knows Solskjaer very well and has been following the Norwegian's path for years. However, there have not yet been any concrete discussions about that eventuality.