Taskmaster Van Gaal starts Bayern stint

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal begins his tenure in charge of German giants Bayern Munich today with demands for more silverware and Champions League glory never far from his ears.

The last time Bayern lifted Europe's top domestic honour was in 2001, but the Germans have consistently failed to reach the last four of the tournament ever since.

Ex-Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked by Bayern in April after just ten months in charge following a string of poor results, so Van Gaal arrives from Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar knowing he does not have the luxury of time.

Bayern look to have temporarily fought off interest from Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea for Franck Ribery, but only a good Champions League campaign will keep the wolves away.

Ribery will report with the rest of the squad for training today, but has made no secret he wants European success and Van Gaal plans to have him as the chief playmaker in his side when the Bundesliga starts next month.

"We want to build around Ribery who Louis van Gaal absolutely wants under his command," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge with Munich bidding for their 22nd Bundesliga crown after Wolfsburg won last season's title.

Van Gaal could not have wished for an easier opening to the season with Bayern set to face Neckarelz, the lowest ranked side in the competition, in the first round of the German Cup which takes place on the first weekend in August.

The sixth division side will be the first serious opponents for Van Gaal and give him the luxury of looking at combinations before the league begins.

But while Klinsmann tried to bring innovative ideas and more dynamic football to Munich, Van Gaal is expected to bring fierce discipline.

The goalkeeper issue has to be resolved after Michael Rensing lost his place to veteran Hans-Joerg Butt.

And Van Gaal has plenty of selection in attack with last season's first-choice pairing Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni facing tough competition from new signings Mario Gomez, Ivica Olic and youngster Thomas Mueller.

With Germany veteran Klose likely to start alongside Gomez, Toni will have to work hard to guarantee himself first-team football next season.

Whoever Van Gaal picks in his team, the Dutchman will be expected to do better than last season when Bayern finished second in the Bundesliga and were dumped out of the Champions League by eventual-champions Barcelona.