New Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has revealed why he won’t be making a fanciful attempt to appoint Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as their next manager.

But Eberl has opened the door to a move for Jose Mourinho, who’s out of work after being sacked by Roma in January following a volatile two-and-a-half-year stint. The reigning German champions are searching for their next boss after current manager Thomas Tuchel agreed to leave the Allianz Arena at the end of what’s been a wretched season by Bayern’s lofty standards.

Set to surrender the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012 to unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen – managed by ex-Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso, reportedly their top target – Eberl and his fellow bigwigs in Bavaria are assessing potential candidates for the job. In a recent interview with Sport Bild, the newly-appointed director was asked about Klopp potentially becoming Bayern’s new boss, despite his claim that he’s taking at least a one-year break from management.

“I know what it means when you make statements like Kloppo, who said: ‘I have no more energy’,” Eberl, who Bayern brought in five days after making their decision on Tuchel, explained. “Few people can judge that better than me because I went through it. People come first. That’s why I won’t call him.”

As for Mourinho, the former Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig chief added: “Of course, you also look at trainers who are currently available. Jose is learning German? I don’t know!”

Eberl went on to reveal that there were “more than four but not 40 names” on his list of potential candidates. And then in a rather cryptic fashion, the German said: “unusual ideas also appear on the list.” “It’s not about making quick decisions, but smart ones,” Eberl added.

Mourinho rarely stays out of work for long and the chance to manage Bayern would surely appeal to the 61-year-old. With Italian giants Roma, Mourinho won the club’s first trophy since 2008 and, as with most clubs he manages, he enjoyed a largely successful first two seasons before it all went south.

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Roma in January ( 
Image:
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE podcast, the ex-Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham boss confirmed that he’s eager to get back into management. Mourinho recalled: “I was having lunch with my friends and people that work with me and we were in the lift. I was telling the guys if I can work tomorrow, I work tomorrow.”

The Portuguese went on to admit: “I don’t enjoy any day without work. I don’t understand, I’m sorry, guys. But I don’t understand people who speak about sabbatical time. ‘sabbatical time gives me only one thing – depression. So I want a different job. I just want to work but I need to be patient.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.