Felix Magath backs Louis van Gaal

Felix Magath backs Louis van Gaal

Schalke manager Felix Magath has laughed off suggestions Bayern Munich are in crisis and has given coach Louis van Gaal his backing.

Magath knows better than anybody how high the expectations are in Munich having been sacked as their coach shortly after leading the club to back-to-back league and cup doubles.

Many believe a defeat for Bayern against Schalke on Thursday will see Van Gaal become the fourth to lose his job with the Bavarians since Magath was dismissed in 2007, but the Royal Blues coach does not see the situation at his former club so dramatically.

"When you are only four points behind the league leaders, then it's hard to talk of a crisis," he said.

"They just have perfectly normal problems when a team gets a new coaching team and has to adjust to a new system.

"But Bayern remains the number one favourite to win the league as far as I'm concerned."

Bayern lost 2-0 to Bordeaux in the Champions League on Tuesday and that defeat practically guarantees their exit from the competition.

And Magath believes this could be an advantage to his side.

"Bayern had to play 90 minutes in the Champions League during the week and they will have lost a bit of energy," he said.

"We, on the other hand, were able to relax and that gives us the chance now to go and get points in Munich.

"We can travel there in a fully relaxed mood and see if we can get the best out of it."

Van Gaal gave his players the day off yesterday but asked them to spend it considering what had happened on Tuesday and working out what must be done this weekend to improve the situation.

"Many of my players have watched the game again and got even angrier about it," revealed the Dutchman.

"The players are very annoyed and slept badly. Everybody has their own thoughts."

Daniel van Buyten could return after he was suspended on Tuesday while Arjen Robben could be ready for more than just a substitute appearance.

Schalke arrive with Lewis Holtby back in training after recovering from a foot injury while Heiko Westermann and Bayern target Rafinha are also available.