Bayern of the future

Some people say that when you reach the top, the only way you can go from there is down. The people at Bayern Munich, however, say that when you get to the top the only thing to do when you get there is to stay there.

No-one can guarantee anything in life and sport is no exception. Bayern Munich may finish this season by re-writing the history books regarding German soccer, ending the campaign as German league and cup winners with a European cup thrown in for good measure. There is a reason why this haul is called unprecedented – because no-one has done it before. It's that hard to do.

In the infinite realm of possibilities of course, Bayern could complete their treble this season and retain all three titles next season too. This realm, however, also contains the possibility that Louis van Gaal runs a guest house on Mars in another dimension, has five heads and goes by the name of Zwarg. Bayern winning a second consecutive treble is indeed more likely, but only just.

Still, one can bet the farm (or the guest house on Mars) that the Bayern hierarchy is going to do all it physically and financially can to give their team the best possible shot at playing for a second treble next season. Why go to all the trouble of winning all that silverware if you're not going to bother defending it?

Securing van Gaal for years would be a masterstroke

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal has proved that he has the knowledge, the strategy and the attitude to turn Bayern Munich from a listing ship into an unsinkable destroyer.

His remodeling of this Bayern team - not only into an attacking force filled with flair and quality but also into a force as fearsome as the Bayern teams of old - has been the story of this season in many quarters. As such, it is unlikely that the Bayern Munich hierarchy will want to dispose of his services or let others lure him away.

Van Gaal is an integral part of Bayern's future success and they stand a better chance of competing at the business end of all competitions with him at the helm. Securing the coach on a longer contract, chaining him to the dug out and hanging a rock of kryptonite round his neck should be the first actions of the Munich management this summer.

In reality there is little chance of van Gaal going elsewhere or demanding to be released from his golden cage. If Bayern are German and European champions at the end of this season, where could he go where he could enjoy as much success? Real Madrid? As an ex-Barcelona coach, it's unlikely he'd even entertain the idea. Manchester United? It's unlikely he'd want to swap a solid club for one mired in debt and ownership problems. Van Gaal will stay…unless the Bayern project no longer presents a challenge for him. There are no guarantees, remember?

Spending with intelligence the secret to continuity

In a bid to turn these champions into a team which can dominate Germany and Champions League for years to come, van Gaal is going to have to be allowed to spend. It's unlikely that Bayern will refuse him a couple of tactical purchases to shore up a team which already has a solid basis, a good spirit and enough star quality to entertain.

Spending recklessly on trophy signings has been the downfall of many a club, but neither Bayern's management nor its coach seem to be wired that way. The purchase of Arjen Robben looked risky at the time, but he filled a very specific role in van Gaal's formation - so ably, in fact, that it played a big part in turning Bayern into champions.

Bayern have a good mix of youth and experience at the moment, with Thomas Mueller and Holger Badstuber proving that the future is bright. Who knows what other gems may be lurking in the reserves and youth teams, ready to be unearthed by a gruff Dutchman with a set of gardening tools?

Youngsters Diego Contento and David Alaba, for example, didn't quite make the impression that Badstuber or Mueller did - but did show signs that they may be ready break-out years next season.

In the meantime, Bayern could do with some strengthening if they are to keep ahead of the domestic and European packs.

All areas in need of fresh faces

Joerg Butt's time as first choice keeper at Bayern may soon end despite what has possibly been his best-ever season. Bayern's former French contingent Willy Sagnol and Bixente Lizarazu have been publicly urging the club to make a move for Lyon and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Meanwhile, others are calling the World Cup a Bayern audition for Sergio Romero, Argentina's number one who played for Van Gaal back in Holland at AZ Alkmaar.

Up front, Miroslav Klose's playing time has dwindled down to bit player status and Mario Gomez has lost his place as well. Bayern's attack now rests on the slim shoulders of Thomas Mueller and stubby shape of Ivica Olic, meaning Bayern should probably get themselves one more quality striker in the close season.

Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko would be a natural choice - were it not for his 40 million euro price tag, and the fact that he seems to have his heart set on joining AC Milan.

In midfield, Anatoliy Tymoschchuk and Hamit Altintop should be allowed to graze on pastures new while Bayern might cut their losses on Franck Ribery and use the money from his possible sale to snap up Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung. The Korean would provide much less creativity on the wing than Ribery - but just as much energy, and would cost so much less that Bayern would be likely to put much of what was left over toward another player.

Some have mooted moves for big-name players like Barcelona's Yaya Toure or Lassana Diarra of Real Madrid, but doing so might cause unnecessary discord. Bayern's current central midfield pairing of Mark van Bommel and Bastian Schweinsteiger is bringing the goods at present, and a younger player who would not mind making way for them (Marseilles' Stephane M'Bia's name has come up) could be a more prudent option.

Building a new defense could be prudent

In defence, Bayern certainly need some cover. While Martin Demichelis and Daniel van Byuten have finally grown into a quality central pairing, younger alternatives should be sought to maintain continuity as injuries and age begin to wear them down. With Badstuber showing composure in his stints at center-back (and with Breno coming back from a successful, if injury-marred stint at Nuremburg), buying another man for the middle is not likely to be a high priority.

Cover on the outside is more urgent. Philipp Lahm has already shown he can play effectively on either wing, and Badstuber can play wide in a pinch, but beyond that the pickings are slim at Bayern. The untested Contento has begun to string together some games at left back and comported himself well, but Bayern might be tempted to shoot for the stars and lure a world-class offensive full back. A player like Barcelona's Dani Alves or Maicon of their Champions League final opponents Inter Milan would make Bayern's wing-based attack an even trickier proposition

Trickier still, however, would be attracting them to the Bundesliga. The players needed to keep Bayern at the top may want more than the chance to play for the current German and European champions. Despite its best efforts, the Bundesliga is still seen as a poor relation to other leagues, though this perception is slowly changing. Bayern and the Champions League may have their own allure but convincing players to play week-in, week-out in Germany is another matter.

But then stranger things have happened, like Bayern winning the treble – twice (possibly).

Author: Nick Amies
Editor: Matt Hermann