Bayern Munich chairman accuses Louis van Gaal of having 'huge ego'
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Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed that "hard times" were endured while Louis van Gaal was at the helm of the Bundesliga champions.
Rummenigge hired van Gaal in 2009, with the current Manchester United manager going on to lead Bayern to a league and cup double in his first year in charge.
However, he was dismissed towards the end of his second season in charge following a third-place Bundesliga finish, and Rummenigge has admitted that their relationship was not always an easy one.
"As soon as he presented his autobiography in a snobby restaurant, I knew hard times were ahead," Rummenigge told Spiegel magazine.
"He wanted to 'Van Gaal-ise' the club. '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."
But Rummenigge did speak in glowing terms of Bayern's current coach Pep Guardiola.
He added: "I consider Pep a genius, and hope that he'll stay with us for a long time.
"He's made Bayern a bit more professional. He's got high expectations, but he also respects the culture of this club.
"He has many ideas. Some of them might be unusual, but they are never crazy."
Rummenigge hired van Gaal in 2009, with the current Manchester United manager going on to lead Bayern to a league and cup double in his first year in charge.
However, he was dismissed towards the end of his second season in charge following a third-place Bundesliga finish, and Rummenigge has admitted that their relationship was not always an easy one.
"As soon as he presented his autobiography in a snobby restaurant, I knew hard times were ahead," Rummenigge told Spiegel magazine.
"He wanted to 'Van Gaal-ise' the club. '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."
But Rummenigge did speak in glowing terms of Bayern's current coach Pep Guardiola.
He added: "I consider Pep a genius, and hope that he'll stay with us for a long time.
"He's made Bayern a bit more professional. He's got high expectations, but he also respects the culture of this club.
"He has many ideas. Some of them might be unusual, but they are never crazy."
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