Erik ten Hag is 'neck and neck' with an Arsenal legend in the race to become the new manager of Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso will leave the club at the end of the season to take charge at Real Madrid, returning to his former club as boss when Carlo Ancelotti departs.
Alonso has long been linked to a return to Spain at the end of the season, with pressure mounting on Ancelotti after a comparatively disappointing campaign with Los Blancos.
He earned widespread acclaim for leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double last season, losing just one game across all fronts - the Europa League final in their final match of the campaign.