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After the disappointing tenure of Jurgen Klinsmann, Bayern Munich appointed Louis van Gaal as head coach for 2009-10, and he rewarded them with the Bundesliga title, finishing five points ahead of Schalke.
Holders Wolfsburg were unable to replicate their success, and even sacked new boss Armin Veh during the season en route to an eighth-placed finish. Jurgen Klopp returned Borussia Dortmund to Europe, finishing fifth to qualify for the Europa League.
A terrible season for Hertha Berlin saw the capital side win just five games, just a season after finishing fourth. They were joined in the relegation zone by Bochum, while Nurnberg were able to stay up via the playoff.
CHANGES
Numerous clubs changed coaches in the summer, with Van Gaal appointed to replace caretaker Jupp Heynckes at Bayern Munich. Heynckes left for Bayer Leverkusen, while Martin Jol departed Hamburg to be replaced by Bruno Labbadia.
Having won the league with Wolfsburg, Felix Magath moved to Schalke, and Veh took charge of the Wolves until he was sacked in January. Mainz also had a new man in charge, appointing former Augsburg II boss Thomas Tuchel to his first major coaching position.
Wolfsburg’s failure to compete at the top was further hindered by a change in playing personnel. They spent big money on striker Obafemi Martins (€10.5 million from Newcastle), Algerian attacker Karim Ziani (€7m), as well as €5m on Rever and €3.7m on Thomas Kahlenberg.
They made money back on Cristian Zaccardo, Cedric Makiadi, and Ricardo Costa, but saw other players leave for free on loan as they tried to adjust to playing in the Champions League and the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich spent more money in the transfer window, but used it wisely as Van Gaal brought the title back to Bavaria. Arjen Robben proved the signing of the season despite costing €24m from Real Madrid, while their most expensive addition was 25-year-old German forward Mario Gomez, a €30m addition from Stuttgart. Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Ivica…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/season-reviews/van-gaal-guides-bayern-munich-back-to-the-top-the-2009-10-bundesliga/123
Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-07-30 14:00:00
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