As Louis Van Gaal takes center stage at the Allianz Arena his primary directive would be the drag the Munich club out of its current European ignominy. Srikant Iyer writes to us with his insight on the implications of the Dutch maestro's appointment at Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich have just recruited the services of former Ajax and Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal. He is all set to take charge of the club from July 1, 2009. Calling it his dream club, van Gaal has set a minimum target of the Bundesliga trophy for the season. With the German giants in the race for a very close title finish, all eyes lie on what the club will see in the near future as the “football professor” is about to arrive.
Van Gaal’s track record is one to be admired and be astonished by, with a total of 17 trophies to his credit which includes the league titles in Spain and Holland, the Champions league and the UEFA Cup. But he is known to be a man of change and all the clubs he has gone to have seen major turmoil following his entry. His return to Barcelona saw Rivaldo leave, over difference of opinion, and he also let go off strikers Arveladze and Koevermans at AZ Alkmaar, whom he eventually led to the title this year. Thus, it remains to be seen as to who will be the next to leave the Bavarians, if history is to be believed.
Van Gaal is known to be a strict disciplinarian, a big turnaround from the innovative ways of Jurgen Klinsmann. The “van Gaal system”, as it is known popularly, will now have to include the likes of Ribery, Schweinsteiger and Podolski. Bayern have always played a straight 4-4-2 formation with a free role given to van Bommel. Ribery and Schweinsteiger bring up the forces from the wings, with Ribery’s accurate passes and Schweinsteiger’s piercing balls feeding the strikers.
Van Gaal is known to be more central in his play and has always favoured the 4-3-3 formation with an attacking midfielder which worked very well for him at Ajax, and which proved disastrous for him at Barcelona, during his second spell. Van Gaal’s strict belief that discipline is the basis for creativity may do well for Bayern, whose play has recently seen a lack of creation of chances for the strikers.
There is a pretty similar set of players for van Gaal to work with, as compared to AZ Alkmaar (his last club) where he had to switch to a 4-4-2 formation intertwined with his “total football” giving rise to a “total football 2.0”, according to the Guardian. AZ Alkmaar played in short bursts of passes during attack and reluctance during defence. Van Gaal’s system will give more room for individual development and flair, which is likely to benefit Ze Roberto, Podolski, and Lahm etc. But Toni and Klose will have to keep up with the fast bursts, if at all such a system is adopted.
If van Gaal goes for his 2-3-2-3 formation a la Barcelona, there will be a need for another playmaker to sit behind the strikers and feed the three front men. Of course, Bayern’s budget will allow for some young blood to be roped in. And knowing it is van Gaal, it wouldn’t be surprising if he lures some young Dutch talent to the club
Finally, when it comes to the moody van Gaal and his relationship with the bosses, AZ Alkmaar was really happy with him, with the dressing room, more importantly, backing him at every decision. He did have a tough time at Barca, for the lack of a good relationship with the media, something which eventually led him out of the door.
The bosses at Bayern desperately want trophies for the season, Bundesliga apart (which the fans have gotten used to winning). Europe glory has eluded the German giants for a long time and van Gaal is definitely a suitable candidate to help them clinch the trophy.
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Asif Khan
said:
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... Van Gaal or No van Gaal, Bayern can win the Bundesliga next year with all their historical strength. What matters is the Champions League. When was the last time a German team in contention for the Champions league title? |
Ravi
said:
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... The only way Bayern are going to win the Champions League is by having a certain Steffen Effenberg at the helm. |
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