Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn on Thursday criticised the Bavarian giants plan to capture Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from Schalke 04.

Neuer, 25, has been heavily courted by Bayern and has already told Schalke, who contest the German Cup final on Saturday, he will not extend his contract which expires in 2012.

Bayern are reported to be set to spend around 20 million euros for the shot-stopper who has been in stellar form this season, but Kahn questions the logic of splashing out an enormous sum, when Neuer could come for free in 2012.

“They will hire a very good goalkeeper, but to pay such a sum for a player who will be free in 2012, is exorbitant,” Kahn told German daily Bild.

Kahn is now a TV commentator since retiring from football in 2008 and he slammed Bayern’s decision to employ Bayer Leverkusen’s 66-year-old coach Jupp Heynckes as trainer for next season.

“It’s not a lasting solution,” said Kahn. ”What is the thinking behind this? Where is the true philosophy? By what criteria are they recruiting players? Continuity in the coaching position is the basis for success. At times I wonder how the players fit together. The example of Barcelona…

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed that the club have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The 25-year-old has been constantly linked with a move to the Allianz Arena this term, but has also been the reported target of Manchester United.

Bayern, however, appear to have won the race for the German international, and have conceded a deal is in place.

Bayern Munich have sacked coach Louis van Gaal with immediate effect, the Bundesliga club confirmed on Sunday morning.

The German club had already announced that Van Gaal would be replaced by Bayer Leverkusen’s Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season, but a draw at Nurnberg on Saturday has prompted them into action prematurely.

A 1-1 draw saw Bayern concede third place, and Champions League qualification, to Hannover with only five games remaining in the Bundesliga season.

Bayern chose to dismiss Van Gaal following the result, with his assistant Andries Jonker taking charge for the remainder of the season.

Thomas Mueller celebrated signing a new contract with Bayern Munich by helping the Bundesliga champions to win the pre-season German Supercup clash with runners-up Schalke on Saturday.

The 20-year-old, a revelation for Germany at the 2010 World Cup after scoring five goals, broke the deadlock in the second half in Augsburg before Miroslav Klose sealed a 2-0 win.

Before the match, he agreed a two-year extension to his previous deal, which was due to expire in 2013.

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben has had a fantastic revival since he left Real Madrid to join his current team. He helped his team to a Cup double, only missing out on the treble when they lost in the Champions League finals.

Robben’s ability to take off past defenders and create chances as much as he scores has made Bayern Munich one of the most exciting sides to watch in Germany, maybe even in Europe.

Robben scooped up a staggering 71 percent of the votes, after 241 Bundesliga players were polled. In second place was Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko, and third was handed to another Bayern Munich man in the form of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will have to be outstanding for Germany at this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa.

Bayern Munich were downed by Inter Milan who become the first Italian team to win the treble of league, cup and European Cup in the same season, whilst ending the German double-winners’ hopes of doing likewise.

Diego Milito struck in the 34th and 70th minutes for Inter and Bayern were unable to find a way past the resolute Inter defence, ending the game down 2-0.

Click through for a detailed match report of the Champions League final.

All eyes will now turn towards the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, happening in 18 days’ time!

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery is set to sign a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga club ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.

According to reports in Germany, Ribery will put pen to paper when he jets into host city Madrid, bringing an end to the continued speculation about his future.

The Frenchman is currently in training with his national team because he is suspended for the final against Inter Milan, but he has been given permission to attend the game.

Bayern Munich will travel to Madrid by helicopter if volcanic ash keeps them from flying by plane to the Champions League Final.

“Without trying to spread panic, we will make every arrangement and will be prepared,” a club spokesman said.

Some Spanish airports were closed today due to the return of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland that paralysed air travel last month. Munich airport was also closed temporarily on Monday.