Klinsmann Starts Work on New Bayern Munich Revolution
June 30, 2008
Klinsmann and his new staff have physically and literally "torn down walls" in order to bring modern training and club philosophy to Germany at the nation's number one club.
"We want to bring forward two components: a very intensive training on the pitch and off it as well where we want to move them forward as humans," Klinsmann told the Bundesliga champions' club website. "The coaching staff is excited, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona have this. We are very proud of it."
Klinsmann was mainly referring to the revamped player facilities, but there is far more to it then a few rooms as Bayern have set their sites on international fame and fortune after dominating in Germany with three league and cup doubles in the past four seasons.
A top placing in the Champions League, where Munich has been in the final since lifting the trophy in 2001, as a key aim.
Klinsmann revived the German national team during his reign 2004-2006 and then in January signed a two-year contract for Munich to do exactly the same there.
Klinsmann brought in to introduce new culture
"We took this step deliberately. We needed a man who dares to make changes. Juergen is the right man for that," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Not even I know what he will still change. But this is a new culture for the Bundesliga."
After overhauling the team last summer by hiring the likes of France star Franck Ribery, Italy striker Luca Toni and Germany forward Miroslav Klose, Munich now want Klinsmann to bring the coaching structures up to modern standard.
Klinsmann, who played for Munich 1995-1997, brought sweeping changes to the national team with new methods including American fitness gurus and has the same in mind in Munich.
Klinsmann's team in Munich includes Mexican assistant coach Martin Vasquez, former player Christian Nerlinger is somewhere between the team and Hoeness, and former Bundesliga goalkeeper Philipp Laux ready to work with frustrated players as a sports psychologist.
Working days to be extended
Bayern players faced an eight-hour day with training, lunch and wellness areas in the new facilities from Monday onwards.
Dutchman Mark van Bommel was the most prominent player to get a first taste of Klinsmann's training, while Ribery, Toni, Turkey's Hamit Altintop and the Germans Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Philipp Lahm and the other Euro international enjoyed a holiday before starting pre-season training.
Klinsmann watched Germany lose the final 1-0 to Spain on Sunday in Vienna and admitted that Spain were "considerably better."
Spain's philosophy of attacking football with neat one-touch passes matches exactly that of Klinsmann, who will try to introduce it in Germany -- from which the national team could profit as well.