Bayern appoint Jonker

Newly appointed Bayern Munich manager Andries Jonker consulted close friend and sacked boss Louis van Gaal before taking the job.

The 48-year-old was offered the position after the Munich board decided to sack van Gaal following the 1-1 draw at Nuremberg on Saturday, which saw Bayern drop out of the Bundesliga top three, and consequently, the UEFA Champions League spots.

Jonker will be in charge for at least the remainder of the season on an interim basis, and admitted he thought long and hard before taking the top job.

“I have a very close relationship with Louis van Gaal,” Jonker said.

“It’s a weird feeling. I’m not happy.”

“We were hugely successful for one season but now the group, the staff, is falling apart. It’s disappointing.”

Jonker worked with van Gaal at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona and the Dutch national team.

He consulted his close friend before accepting the job with Bayern Munich to ensure there were no hard feelings between the pair.

“If he were in my shoes, he would take the job. That was very important to me,” Jonker said.

“He also insisted that we would remain friends. After that I decided to accept the offer from Bayern.”

The new boss said it would take time for him to decide whether he would drastically alter game plans laid by van Gaal in his own coaching regime.

Jonker was adamant van Gaal did plenty right, but he also wanted his team to achieve the goals set for the remainder of the season.

“I’m convinced that we can reach our target of qualification for the Champions League, but we can only do it together – the fans, players, staff and board,” Jonker said.

“It doesn’t matter what I think. The important thing is that we achieve our goals.”

Jonker said his door would be open to the players as he underlined the importance of communication.

He will be without duo Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben for Sunday’s Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen, with the Dutchman Robben sent off against Nuremberg, earning him a two-match ban and 15,000 Euro fine.