Bayern give van Gaal Christmas deadline
Bayern Munich’s season appears in danger of imploding after coach Louis van Gaal was given a Christmas deadline to turn their fortunes around, while influential defender Philipp Lahm was forced to apologise after being fined for criticising the club in a newspaper interview.
The Bavarian giants are eighth in the Bundesliga after five wins from 12 games this term.
Yesterday, Germany international Lahm and Italy striker Luca Toni were each given a “considerable fine” for their conduct this weekend.
Toni left the stadium at half-time of the 1-1 draw with Schalke after being substituted by coach Van Gaal, while Lahm criticised the club in an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Dutchman Van Gaal is by no means in favour at the Allianz Arena though, as Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness today joined Franz Beckenbauer in setting a Christmas deadline to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Club president Beckenbauer spoke out on Thursday after Bayern lost 2-0 to Bordeaux in the Champions League to jeopardise their chances of reaching the knockout stages.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Schalke saw Bayern slump six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen but Bayern’s board have not run out of patience yet.
“We have lost two points but our game was a marked improvement compared to Bordeaux,” said Hoeness.
“I believe that we can continue working in peace and quiet until Christmas and then we will sit down and ask ourselves where we are.
“We are not going to discuss the position of the coach in public.”
A similar ultimatum was given to Van Gaal’s predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann last season and, although he did not manage to take the club to the top of the table come the midway stage of the season, he did at least lead them into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Lahm has accepted his fine after meeting with Bayern’s board of directors today to offer his apologies for the remarks he made in the interview, in which he criticised the club’s transfer policy, among other things.
“In a very open, detailed and constructive discussion, Philipp Lahm has apologised for his comments and the way he chose to make them public,” read a statement released by the Bayern board.
“Philipp has realised that it would have been better to make his opinion known directly to the board.”
Lahm is Bayern’s longest-serving player having joined the club as an 11-year-old in 1995.
He was named as the club’s vice-captain 16 months ago, and, although his comments this weekend were frowned upon, he has nevertheless been told his opinion is still valued.
“He was encouraged and invited by (chairman) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness, (board member) Karl Hopfner and (director of sport) Christian Nerlinger to let his views be known in future in a direct dialogue with the people responsible at the club,” continued the statement.
“Philipp Lahm has accepted the fine imposed by the board and, for both sides, the issue from the weekend has been dealt with.”
Former Bayern captain Stefan Effenberg, however, believes there will be repercussions for Lahm’s outburst.
“It is going to be brutal for Lahm,” he told stern.de.
“His performance is going to be scrutinised after every game now.
“Going to the press was the wrong way. Even if I can understand some of his criticism, it would have been more intelligent to go straight to Hoeness’ office.”
Yet Lahm has received support from his national team captain Michel Ballack, who told Sky television that he could fully understand his former club-mate’s actions.
“At the end of the day, Philipp is an important player for FC Bayern, he carries responsibility and feels responsible for the team,” said the Chelsea midfielder.
“He certainly wanted to wake people up and send out a positive signal and talk about things.
“Philipp is strong enough to cope with the current criticism.”
