Bayern keen to keep Van Gaal, says Rummenigge

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said yesterday he wants to extend coach Louis van Gaal's contract past 2011 after the Dutchman won the German league and cup double in his first season.

Van Gaal's contract expires in June next year, but having steered his side to the Champions League final, where they lost 2-0 to Inter in Madrid last Saturday, Rummenigge wants to keep the Dutchman in charge of the team.

"We are delighted with the work of Van Gaal and we have absolute confidence in him," Rummenigge told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

"If he gives us the signal, the conversation about his extension will not be an issue.

"We aim to keep him as coach."

Rummenigge says he will sit down soon with Van Gaal to discuss his playing squad for next season, but several players look set to leave.

Goalkeeper Michael Rensing, plus defenders Andreas Goerlitz, who is on loan at Karlsruhe, and Andreas Ottl, who was loaned to Nuremberg last season, are likely to leave.

It is unclear whether midfielders Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Hamit Altintop will remain with Bayern.

But midfielder Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), defenders Breno Borges (Nuremberg) and Edson Braafheid (Celtic) are all set to return to fight for their places after loan periods.