Premier League boss 'emerges as leading candidate on three-man shortlist to replace Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich - with a former Man United manager also in the running'

Bayern Munich are reportedly eyeing-up Roberto De Zerbi as a leading contender to succeed Thomas Tuchel this summer. 

The German giants are on the lookout for a new boss, with Tuchel to depart at the end of the season following a disappointing campaign.

Bayern sit 13 points behind Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga as they look set set to miss out on the German top flight after winning it for 11 consecutive campaigns, while they also crashed out of the DFB-Pokal and face a crunch game against Arsenal in the last-16 of the Champions League. 

Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso had been seen as their number one target, but the former Spain midfielder announced his intention to stay in his role for next season on Friday.

And, according to The Times, this latest development has led to Brighton boss De Zerbi emerging as a leading candidate in the process.

The report claims the Italian is highly-rated by Bayern's management, with Max Eberl - who was appointed as the club's sporting director in February - a major admirer.

It goes onto claim Eberl has already put out feelers to find out whether De Zerbi would be keen on the move this summer.

However, Bayern may face a battle with Liverpool for the Italian's services, with the Reds also keen on the Brighton boss, although Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorin is the current front-runner for the job at Anfield. 

De Zerbi has impressed since moving to England in September 2022, guiding Brighton to sixth last season and into Europe for the first time in the club's history.

He had previously gained plaudits for his work in charge of the likes of Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk.

After being linked with several roles in recent times, De Zerbi - who is believed to have a buyout clause in his contract - has been relatively open in responses about his future.

Speaking before Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on his plans, he said: 'I want to speak with my club, I have a contract, but the problem is not the contract — the problem is to find the same plan, the same target, the same vision for the future.'

Meanwhile, Bayern's attempts to replace Tuchel are proving to be problematic, with another target Sebastian Hoeness recently penning a new contract at Stuttgart after overseeing a strong season.

Elsewhere, the report claims former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as a shock candidate to return to the club just over a year after being sacked.

The Times reports that many at Bayern acknowledge it was a premature decision to dismiss the 36-year-old last March, given the club's subsequent struggles under Tuchel. 

Another candidate in the running on a three-man shortlist is former Man United interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who has rejuvenated his coaching career with Austria since that difficult stint at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, the Times also reports whoever takes over from Tuchel will be tasked with a squad overhaul as the Bavarian giants aim to fight back next season.