Bayern dismiss Van Gaal

German champions Bayern Munich yesterday sacked coach Louis van Gaal with the Bavarian giants fourth in the Bundesliga and outside the Champions League places for next season.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the decision comes after recent poor league results since Munich were dumped out of the Champions League in the last 16 by a home defeat to holders Inter on March 15.

Munich bosses are desperate to prevent Bayern missing out on a place in European football’s top competition having lost the 2010 Champions League final.

Third in the German league would put Bayern into the play-off for a Champions League berth, while second in the table guarantees an automatic passage for next season’s competition with five games left.

“It is true we have taken a short-term decision but there has been dissatisfaction – I have to make this clear – for weeks,” said Rummenigge.

“We were weak at Freiburg (on March 19), but luckily we won 2-1 with a late goal.

“We played poorly against Borussia Moenchegladbach (on April 2 in a 1-0 victory) and yesterday (at Nuremberg) we did not have a good game.

“This is an expression of our dissatisfaction and concern.

“At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the club to do everything we can to get third place. In terms of the decision, we simply didn’t have an alternative.”

The 59-year-old Van Gaal was informed of the decision after his side returned to Munich following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nuremberg. Bayern are 14 points behind Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Van Gaal’s assistant Andries Jonker will take over as caretaker coach with Hermann Gerland as his assistant.

Bayer Leverkusen’s coach Jupp Heynckes has already been announced as Bayern’s head coach for next season.