No Bayern player will win World Cup, says Van Gaal

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal said yesterday he could not imagine any of his players from Argentina, France, Holland or Germany winning next month's World Cup in South Africa.

"To be honest, I don't expect that one of my players will come back from South Africa with the status of world champion," Bayern's Dutch coach told German daily Bild.

Van Gaal, who lost last Saturday's Champions League final 2-0 to Inter, says he expects the winners to come from South America or the Iberian peninsula.

"I think Spain or Brazil will be world champions," said the 58-year-old.

Bayern Munich are expected to have eight players in the Germany squad involved in South Africa, three Dutch in Edson Braafheid, Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, of France, and Argentina's Martin Demichelis.

Having won the German League and Cup titles in his first season in charge as coach, Van Gaal was scathing of Argentina's chances under former player Diego Maradona.

"Argentina has perhaps the best team, but I think it is just as important to have a good coach," he said.