Van Gaal not keen on German job

Louis van Gaal does not want the German job

Former Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal has told the German Football Federation that he is not interested in becoming their national coach.

The Dutchman, who resigned as manager of the Catalan giants in the summer, believes his nationality is inappropriate for the job.

"It's an honour that my name has been mentioned but it's my opinion that the new coach should be a German," said van Gaal.

The German football authority is coming under intense pressure because of its failure to appoint a coach in the wake of Erich Ribbeck's resignation.

Germany were eliminated from Euro 2000 after finishing bottom of Group A and the entire campaign was dogged by in-fighting and rows over team selection.

Pressure

There is now pressure on the Federation president, 75-year-old Egidius Braun, to retire, although he believes he needs to stay while German football rebuilds.

"It would be too easy for me to accept the political responsibility, pack my bags and disappear on holiday. But I won't do it. I accept the challenge and will do all I can to make sure German football reaches the top again," Braun said.

Aside from van Gaal, Arsene Wenger and Udo Lattek have ruled themselves out of taking the vacant coaching position, while the likes of Christoph Daum, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jupp Heynckes are likely to stay in their current clubs.