Bayern Munich have recruited the football professor they were looking for, but new coach Louis van Gaal will be expected to get top marks from his first day in charge on July 1.

Since former trainer Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked after only ten months in charge, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had been scouring the continent for a top-level, German-speaking coach to help re-establish Bayern in Europe.

The English media claimed Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger was approached, but there was little realistic chance of the Frenchman relinquishing control at the north London club.

Van Gaal led AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch championship and finally won the title on April 19, while just eight days later Klinsmann was sacked by Bayern following dismal results including an unacceptably early Champions League exit.

Barcelona’s 4-0 mauling of Bayern in Spain and subsequent quarter-final defeat was the beginning of the end for Klinsmann.

For Van Gaal, a Bundesliga title will be the minimum level of success expected next season with Bayern hungry for their first Champions League crown since 2001.

“FC Bayern is a dream club for me,” said Van Gaal who has been famously quoted as declaring: “I am the best” after guiding Alkmaar to the title.

But Van Gaal will be expected to prove just that and hit the ground running at a club where failure is not an option – Klinsmann was sacked with his side third in the league and contending for the title.

“There’s a completely different mindset here at Bayern,” admitted goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt who reached the Champions League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

“The entire club is geared towards success, trophies are all that count. You’re expected to win the league and every match, you’re not allowed slip-ups.”

Having steered Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995, the fiery Van Gaal has a wealth of experience having led the giants from Amsterdam to consecutive Dutch titles between 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Under his steerage, players such as Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars developed into world stars.

In 1998 and 1999, he also won La Liga with Barcelona before taking charge of the Dutch national side in 2000, but failure to lead them to the World Cup finals in 2002 meant he was replaced by Dick Advocaat.

Bayern Expect Top Marks From Football Professor Van Gaal … read more »

German giants Bayern Munich confirmed on Wednesday that Dutch coach Louis van Gaal will take over as head coach on July 1 having signed a two-year contract to replace the fired Jurgen Klinsmann.

Having led AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch title this season, the 57-year-old has signed a deal with the Bundesliga champions, ending weeks of speculation over whether or not he would succeed Klinsmann, who was fired on April 27.

“We are happy to have signed an experienced and successful football coach for Bayern Munich such as Louis van Gaal,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement.

Having steered Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995, the fiery Van Gaal has a wealth of experience having led the giants from Amsterdam to consecutive Dutch titles between 1994, 1995 and 1996.

In 1998 and 1999, he also won La Liga with Barcelona before taking charge of the Dutch national side in 2000, but failure to lead them to the World Cup finals in 2002 meant he was replaced by Dick Advocaat.

Then followed brief spells at Ajax and Barcelona, before he joined AZ in 2005 which culminated in Alkmaar winning the Dutch title on April 19 this year just after their decisive 28-game undefeated run was brought to an end.

Not lacking in self-confidence, Van Gaal boldly stated: “I am the best” after winning the Dutch title and Bayern’s bosses seem to agree.

The Dutchman inherits a squad who are still bidding for the Bundesliga title and are level on points with leaders Wolfsburg with two games league remaining having beaten neighbours Bayern Leverkusen 3-0 on Tuesday.

He replaces Klinsmann who was sacked as Bayern coach after only ten months in charge following a poor run of results.

Bayern Name Van Gaal to Replace Sacked Klinsmann … read more »