Bayern Munich have confirmed that Dutch coach Louis van Gaal will join the defending Bundesliga champions as head coach on a two-year contract as of July 1. He is to replace interim coach Jupp Heynkes, who took over after Juergen Klinsmann was fired last month.

The coach who has led AZ Alkmaar to their first Dutch league title since 1981, had been Bayern's first choice for the job. Other managers under consideration are said to have included Inter manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger.

Munich pleased with choice

"We are happy that in Louis van Gaal we have managed to secure such an experienced and successful coach for Bayern Munich," said Bayern Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement posted on the club's website on Wednesday.

Having steered Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995, van Gaal, 57, has a wealth of experience having also led the giants from Amsterdam to consecutive Dutch titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

After leading Barcelona to back-to-back Spanish league titles in 1998 and 1999, the only blip in an otherwise exceptional career was when he took charge of the Netherlands in 2000. When the Dutch failed to reach the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea in 2002, he was replaced by Dick Advocaat.

Van Gaal inherits a squad that is level on points with Bundesliga leaders Wolfsburg with two games remaining in the season. He is expected to be closely involved in transfer decisions at the end of this season.

In return for Alkmaar agreeing to release van Gaal before his contract expires, Bayern have agreed to play a friendly against Alkmaar in the summer of 2010 without charging a fee.