Antonio Conte has reportedly emerged as a candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel, should the Bayern Munich manager get the sack.
Pressure has ramped up on the Bayern boss after three successive defeats have left their title challenge in tatters, and their hopes of progression in the Champions League hanging in the balance.
Bayern were thoroughly outplayed by Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, going down 3-0 at the BayArena, before another underwhelming display saw them lose 1-0 to Lazio in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Sunday's defeat to Bochum was the most damaging yet though, as Bayern threw away an early lead before eventually losing 3-2 against the bottom-half side.
With a tricky test against RB Leipzig up next, a fourth defeat would likely be a step too far, with runs of form like that virtually unheard of in Bavaria.
Tuchel was given assurances by the Bayern board that he would remain in charge for now despite the weekend's bruising defeat, but the rumour mill has been in full swing about potential replacements.
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Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso is believed to be their number one candidate, while reports have also linked former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the job on a temporary basis.
However, Bild claim that Conte is a name that is also being suggested, with the Italian believed to see it as a "dream job" for him.
Conte has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur last March, around the same time that Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann in the Bayern dugout.
A move to the Allianz Arena would reunite Conte with striker Harry Kane, who he managed at Spurs, and who also has 25 league goals already this season.
Despite leaving Spurs trophyless, Conte has a fine resume of success, winning the Premier League and FA Cup at Chelsea, while also overseeing a part of Juventus' domination of Italian football, clinching three Scudettos with the Old Lady, before adding another at Inter Milan in 2021.
Bild also believe that Hansi Flick is in the running to potentially take over, even though some at the club are upset with how he left the club before taking up the Germany role in 2021
Bayern face Leipzig in that crucial Bundesliga encounter on Saturday evening, with Leverkusen now eight points clear at the summit.
Andrew Delaney
