Advertisement
Owen Humphreys/PA Wire/Press Association Images
still raw

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge blasts Louis van Gaal and his 'huge ego'

The Dutchman oversaw success in his first season in Germany but his departure in 2011 was acrimonious.

LOUIS VAN GAAL may have won a Bundesliga crown, a German Cup and finished as Champions League runners-up in his first season at Bayern Munich but the club’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hit out at the way in which ‘The Iron Tulip’ tried to ‘Van Gaal-ise’ the Bavarian giants.

In an interview with Der Spiegel, Rumenigge did refer to the Dutchman as ‘a good and successful coach’ but spared little when it came to criticising the current Manchester United boss.

He wanted to ‘Van Gaal-ise’ the club. As soon as he presented his autobiography in a snobby restaurant, I knew hard times were ahead – ‘Van Gaal-ise,’ that’s what we’ve called it up until today. He’s not always low-maintenance. He’s got a huge ego.”

Though overseeing a successful first campaign, Van Gaal was sacked towards the end of his second with the club sitting in fourth place. His successor, Jupp Heynckes, had to be patient before tasting triumph though he landed a treble in 2013 – an achievement van Gaal narrowly missed out on three years before.

Germany Soccer Bayern Munich Guardiola Rummenigge (far right) had only the best things to say about current Bayern boss Pep Guardiola. Matthias Schrader / AP/Press Association Images Matthias Schrader / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images

But Rummenigge spoke in glowing terms of Bayern’s current coach Pep Guardiola who won a league title and a German Cup in his first campaign.

“He has many ideas. Some of them might be unusual, but they are never crazy. I consider Pep a genius, and hope that he’ll stay with us for a long time.”

Fifa deny Blatter Qatar criticism reports

Morocco dropped as Africa Cup of Nations hosts and disqualified from tournament

Your Voice
Readers Comments
25
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.