Louis Van Gaal confirmed as new Bayern Munich Manager

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have confirmed the appointment ex-Ajax and Barcelona boss Louis Van Gaal as their new head coach in succession to Jurgen Klinsmann. The former Dutch national coach succeeds Jurgen Klismann, who was sacked last month.

Bayern say Louis Van Gaal, 57 years, who has just guided AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch league title, will sign a two-year contract and formally take over of Bayern Munich team on 1 July. “We are happy to have gained an experienced and successful coach,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Dutch champions have now reached an agreement with Bayern about a transfer fee and van Gaal will be in charge at the German giants starting this summer. Louis Van Gaal’s AZ deal was due to expire in 2010, but he make it clear that signing for Bayern Munich was like a dream for him. His excellent relationship with AZ chairman Dirk Scheringa eventually made the latter decide to let go of Louis Van Gaal for free.

Louis Van Gaal won the 1992 Uefa Cup and the 1995 Champions League with Ajax and two Spanish championships with Barcelona. Bayern fired Jurgen Klinsmann following a string of disappointing results, including an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Germany’s most successful club, who won the domestic league and cup double last year, have struggled in their quest to retain the Bundesliga title this season. With just two games remaining to the end of the season, Bayern are second in the table although they have won their last three matches under caretaker coach Jupp Heynckes and are in the thick of the battle for the title in what promises to be a close finish to the campaign. Heynckes, who made it clear when he arrived he was only taking charge as a favour to his friend Hoeness, now knows for certain his employment will end on May 23 when Bayern host Stuttgart in their final Bundesliga fixture of the season.

Klinsmann ultimately paid the price for an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Barcelona in the quarter-final of the Champions League this season, while he was never able to take Bayern to the summit of the Bundesliga during his 10 months in charge.