Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly closing in on a return to the dugout ahead of next season.
The Dutchman has been out of work since being sacked from his role at Old Trafford in October on the back of an indifferent start to the campaign.
With successor Ruben Amorim having struggled to improve United's standing in the Premier League table, Ten Hag's reputation has arguably not suffered.
Furthermore, with 70 wins from 128 matches, an EFL Cup and FA Cup being earned at the Theatre of Dreams, there is scope for the 55-year-old being in line to return at a high level.
According to Kicker, there is every chance that Ten Hag could be lining up in the Bundesliga from 2025-26 onwards.
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Which Bundesliga club want Ten Hag?
The report alleges that Ten Hag is in advanced talks to replace Xabi Alonso in the Bayer Leverkusen dugout.
That would presumably only occur if the Spaniard opts to make the switch to Real Madrid, who will be parting ways with Carlo Ancelotti.
As it stands, there is nothing set in stone for Alonso to move to the Santiago Bernabeu, yet there has been constant speculation about an eventual appointment given the impact that he has made at Leverkusen.
Courtesy of the ongoing speculation regarding Ancelotti, Leverkusen have been forced to consider their options, there being no shortage of candidates who would relish the challenge provided at the BayArena.
Nevertheless, it appears increasingly likely that Ten Hag has gotten the nod with club officials and could soon be confirmed as Alonso's successor should the aforementioned scenario play out.
Ten Hag is no stranger to a stint in Germany having previously managed Bayern Munich II for a two-year period between 2013 and 2015.
His success in that role led to an opportunity with FC Utrecht back in the Eredivisie before he eventually moved onto Ajax.
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Big shoes to fill
Leverkusen may be on the brink of conceding the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich, but Alonso has already secured legendary status at the club.
As well as ending Bayern's dominance with a unbeaten Bundesliga title campaign in 2023-24, Leverkusen also won the DFB-Pokal.
In total, Alonso has recorded 88 victories and just 18 defeats during his 137-match reign and is justifiably regarded as one of European football's hottest properties.
Darren Plant
