What went wrong?

"I hit the limits with my way of thought because I often had to deal with people who were unwilling to develop further," Klinsmann told German broadcaster Stern TV this week. "I wanted to take the next step."

Klinsmann was axed on April 27 with five games remaining in the season after a series of mediocre performances that have left the German giants two points behind leaders Wolfsburg before the Bundesliga finale this weekend.

He said his new training and fitness methods were met with resistance by club officials including president Franz Beckenbauer, manager Uli Hoeness and general manager Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"They are all alpha males and also need their space," he said. "They are all personalities you have to work with."

International ambitions

Klinsmann also partly blamed players for being more interested in dazzling fans on the international stage than at home. Bayern were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Barcelona.

"(The players) were very motivated for the Champions League," Klinsmann said. "But there was lack of consistency (in the league). They thought the Bundesliga would run by itself. We dropped silly points."

A win against Werder Bremen on Saturday would crown Wolfsburg as German champions for the first time, although if they lose and Bayern - now under caretaker coach Jupp Heynckes - win their final game against Stuttgart, the Munich team could still top the table.

"I will keep my fingers crossed for a miracle to happen and for Bayern to become German champions," Klinsmann said. "Even though the title is more likely to go to Wolfsburg."

New coach

Experienced Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who has led AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch league title this season, has been chosen as Klinsmann's replacement. He is to sign a two-year contract with Munich beginning from July 1.

He said he would take no players from AZ when he takes over as coach of the Bundesliga club. But the 57-year-old Dutch coach will be accompanied by assistant Andries Jonker, currently technical director of Club Willem II, who was also his assistant trainer at Barcelona.

Looking back on the time he spent in Munich, Klinsmann said he should have asked for three or four signings.

"It was a mistake to accept compromises because you are dealing with alpha males," he said. "One of the mistakes was to take over the squad that was given to me. I should have been clear from the start and said 'I need three or four players'. I allowed myself to be convinced."

Despite all the difficulties his team faced in the Bundesliga season, Klinsmann said his departure from Munich was premature.

"The most hurtful thing for me was feeling I could have finished the job," he said. "I could have led Bayern to the German league title."

tt/dpa/AP/Reuters

Editor: Nick Amies