Van Gaal begs for more time

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal on Friday called on club bosses and fans to give him more time to work wonders on the struggling Bundesliga giants.

“If I’m given the necessary time, I’ll have the chance of doing something big,” Van Gaal told German channel DSF.

“I’ve shown what I’m capable of in other clubs I’ve been with, I think that the public and media have to keep faith with Louis van Gaal.”

The Dutch coach, who previously worked with Ajax and Barcelona, remains optimistic for the remainder of the season, even though his side are eight points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen after eight games.

“It’s in April or May that the distribution of prizes takes place, not in October,” he pointed out.

And Van Gaal said that he could soon recall Italy’s World Cup winner Toni.

Toni, who struggled with an achilles tendon injury and missed pre-season training, is fighting for a place against Bayern’s rising star Thomas Mueller, Croatia’s Ivica Olic and Germany strikers Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez.

“He has really made progress,” Van Gaal said of the player who has expressed his frustration at having to play twice in the Bayern reserves.

His return could make his return on October 17 against Freiburg.