Germany coach Joachim Loew has emerged as a possible replacement for Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal when the latter leaves at the end of the season, one year early, press reports said yesterday.

Mass circulation Bild, who broke the story of Van Gaal’s premature departure on Monday, said that contact has already been established between Bayern bosses and Loew, who guided Germany to third place in the 2010 World Cup.

Loew, however, has pledged his commitment to the national side until at least the end of the Euro Championships in June-July 2012 whereas Bayern need someone to take over at the end of this season.

Another possibility cited in the press is veteran Champions League-winning coach Jupp Heynckes, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, whose contract is running out.

Former Germany captain Matthias Sammer, now director of sport at the German Football Federation (DFB), is also reportedly in the frame, as is Turkey coach and former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink.

Martin Jol, formerly at Ajax, Hamburg and Tottenham, has also been cited as a replacement at the Allianz Arena.

Van Gaal, whose contract was due to run until 2012, had his job cut one year early after a string of poor results, with Bayern losing their last three games – their worst run in more than 10 years.

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