Stop questioning Klinsmann, says Hoeness

Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann, with only one Bundesliga win from five matches this year, received a vote of confidence from manager Uli Hoeness yesterday.

Klinsmann has been under mounting pressure as the champions have slipped to fifth after picking up four points out of 15 since the winter break.

Sunday's 0-0 draw at Werder Bremen, who played with 10 men for 75 minutes, piled further criticism on the coach despite Bayern's 5-0 midweek romp at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

"I find it very unfair what is happening at the moment," Hoeness told Munich's tz newspaper. "I have to ask myself, are we threatened with relegation?

"We can still meet all our targets. In the Champions League we have even exceeded our targets," said the manager, who will take over as club president from Franz Beckenbauer next year.

Bayern have all but qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals following their first-leg win over Sporting and are just four points behind Bundesliga leaders Hertha Berlin.

Klinsmann's team also face Bayer Leverkusen today for a place in the German Cup semi-finals.

"Despite all this the coach is constantly being questioned," Hoeness said.

"I really do not know what Juergen needs to do to stop this. We stand by Juergen Klinsmann."