Dutchman Louis van Gaal will leave Bayern München as trainer at the end of the season. The club announced this afternoon that a mutual decision was reached to end the contract which was due to end in mid-2012.

No details have been given about any financial agreements with Van Gaal. The official line for the premature dismissal is a "difference of opinion about strategy".

The position of Van Gaal, who has trained Bayern München players since 2009, came under increasing pressure after three defeats in a row. Bayern lost in the Bundesliga from league leader Borussia
Dortmund (1-3) and Hannover 96 (3-1) and was knocked out of the cup competition by Schalke 04 (0-1). As a result, the current national champion and cup title holder lost its chance of holding on to its titles.

Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called the series of defeats "eight disastrous days". At the weekend, Van Gaal refused to speculate about his future in Munich.

Bayern still hopes to take second place in the German league, automatically qualifying for the Champions League. It is currently seven points behind Leverkusen in second place with nine games to go.

Van Gaal hopes to redeem his damaged image in the Champions League competition. Bayern is due to play title-holders Inter Milan next week at home. Bayern beat the champions away 1-0 in February. Last season, Bayern made it to the final with Louis van Gaal.

(nc)

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