Beckenbauer fears Van Gaal exit

(GSM) – Franz Beckenbauer is dreading that Bayern München manager Louis van Gaal will leave the Bavarian giants when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The German legend is seemingly worried by Van Gaal’s desire to manage the Germany national team, despite the Dutch coach enjoying success in Bavaria.

The 59-year-old Van Gaal is believed to be keen on succeeding Joachim Löw at the national side after guiding the Bundesliga giants to a league and cup double last season.

Despite, disappointment in the Champions League final, Beckenbauer feels München fans will only see their coach in the dugout for one more season after his current deal expires.

The club’s honorary president said in the Abendzeitung newspaper: “He is approaching 60 so it is understandable that he eventually gets sick of day-to-day training and that he wants a bit of freedom.

“A national team coaching position would be the ideal job (for him). I can understand his longing to get one.”

Van Gaal’s reign at the Allianz Arena started slowly but the Dutchman gradually imposed his style on the München players and began to win silverware.

And Beckenbauer has not given up entirely on the former Barcelona boss extending his tenure in charge of the club.

On the prospect of an extension, Beckenbauer added: “Of course I would hope so. He regards Bayern highly and knows what he has got here. The team took a few months to understand his philosophy, but now it has bedded in and the team is still young so he could still develop and enhance things further.”