Van Gaal faces Bayern axe

November 23, 2009

Louis van Gaal left the field under a chorus of whistles on Sunday. Bayern Munich were held to a draw by league leaders Bayer Leverkusen (1-1), a result that keeps the pressure on Van Gaal.

The Dutch tactician has been in the spotlight following Bayern’s poor form both domestically and in the Champions League, with progress to the knockout stages in severe doubt.

“I have to produce results,” said the Dutchman on Friday. “Because if I don’t, I’ll be fired. We have to win. The club needs success, but so does the coach.”

But Bayern failed to win, keeping their coach under fire. Van Gaal didn’t want to comment on a possible sack. “Our problem is that we saw a team which lacks confidence,” he said after the match against Leverkusen. “And I’m not the one who decides if I will be fired. I only have to focus on the squad.”

Club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that Van Gaal remains at the helm at the Allianz Arena. “We want to try to turn the tide with Van Gaal.”

Sunday’s draw was Bayern’s sixth of the season and the only positive was they moved above Wolfsburg into seventh spot.

Paul Haring

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