An alternative to Klopp? Former Bayern coach being considered for the national team head coach position | OneFootball

Jürgen Klopp is still considered the top favorite for the position of German national team coach. However, no official agreement with the DFB has been reached yet. Now Bastian Schweinsteiger has put forward a prominent alternative candidate: former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal.

Following the German national team’s disappointing World Cup exit, the search for a successor to Julian Nagelsmann is in full swing. While Jürgen Klopp remains the DFB’s preferred candidate, an official agreement has yet to be reached.

For Bastian Schweinsteiger, should the Klopp deal fall through, a former FC Bayern coach would be the ideal solution: Louis van Gaal.

Schweinsteiger raves about van Gaal

In his role as an ARD analyst, the 2014 World Cup champion spoke out surprisingly clearly in favor of the Dutchman. “Well, if Louis van Gaal has the energy—health permitting—then yes, one hundred percent. He’d be a good fit, too. He’s someone who can build something new and has a solid structure,” Schweinsteiger explained.

The former midfielder knows van Gaal very well from his time at FC Bayern. Between 2009 and 2011, the two worked together in Munich and won, among other titles, the German championship, the DFB Cup, and the DFL Super Cup.

Van Gaal has also gained extensive experience on the international stage. The 74-year-old has coached Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, and Manchester United, among others, as well as the Dutch national team during two separate stints.

Klopp remains the favorite

Photo: Getty Images

Schweinsteiger believes that Van Gaal’s successes with the Dutch national team speak particularly in his favor. “He’s already proven with the Dutch that he can always take them far. If Jürgen Klopp weren’t in the running, he’d be at the top of my list.”

With the Netherlands, Van Gaal reached the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Argentina in a penalty shootout. At the 2022 World Cup, he also led the Dutch national team to the quarterfinals, where Argentina once again ended their run in a penalty shootout.

Nevertheless, as things stand, Klopp remains the clear favorite for the position of German national team coach. According to consistent media reports, talks between the DFB and the 59-year-old are ongoing. However, a final agreement or official announcement has yet to be made.