Champions League a must for Bayern, says caretaker Jonker

Champions League qualification for next season is all that counts now for Bayern Munich, caretaker coach Andries Jonker said Monday. "My aim is to go home satisfied after the last game of the season. We have to be third on May 14," said the 48-year-old Dutchman at his first news conference since the sacking of Louis van Gaal.

   Jonker, who was co-trainer to Van Gaal, has five matches in which to finish at least third for a Champions League qualification spot.

   Van Gaal was sacked following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Nuremberg which has left Bayern fourth, a point behind Hanover. On Monday, the 59-year-old Dutch coach said farewell to his squad at the team's training headquarters.

   "I don't need to develop any players in five games, I don't need a philosophy. I have to achieve Champions League qualification with the fans, the board and my staff," Jonker said.

   Jonker, who had also assisted Van Gaal at Barcelona, said taking over the coach's job was "a very difficult question" because of his close relationship with his compatriot. Only after talking to Van Gaal did he accept the post.

   Jonker said he aimed to lead the team "in my own way" but did not plan a major overhaul. "Louis van Gaal did many good things," he said.

   Bayern greet second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday in a crucial match at the Allianz Arena. Jonker will be coming up against Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes, the man who will be taking over at Bayern from next season.

   Jonker will be without Dutch winger Arjen Robben who was Monday handed a two-match ban and fined 15,000 euros (21,600 dollars) by the German football federation after he was shown a red card for insulting the referee shortly after Saturday's draw in Nuremberg.

Defender Holger Badstuber is also suspended for Sunday's meeting with Leverkusen after receiving five yellow cards this season.

"I'm obviously not happy about having two players suspended, but we'll find a solution," Jonker said.

   The coach said he did not want to comment on possible team changes but veteran keeper Joerg Butt could return for Thomas Kraft.

   Kraft, whose mistake led to Nuremberg's equalizer on Saturday, has a back problem and missed training Monday.

   Van Gaal had controversially dropped Butt in the winter break in favour of 22-year-old Kraft, who at that point had not played a Bundesliga game.