Bayern set Christmas deadline for Van Gaal decision

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has joined Franz Beckenbauer in setting Louis van Gaal a Christmas deadline to turn the club's fortunes around.

Club president Beckenbauer spoke out on Thursday after Bayern lost 2-0 to Bordeaux in the Champions League to jeopardise their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Schalke saw Bayern slump to eighth in the table but Bayern's board have not run out of patience yet.

''We have lost two points but our game was a marked improvement compared to Bordeaux,'' said Hoeness. ''I believe that we can continue working in peace and quiet until Christmas and then we will sit down and ask ourselves where we are. We are not going to discuss the position of the coach in public.''

A similar ultimatum was given to Van Gaal's predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann last season and, although he did not manage to take the club to the top of the table come the midway stage of the season, he did at least lead them into the last 16 of the Champions League.