Klinsmann not fearing Bayern axe

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker's side have lost three of their opening four league matches since the Bundlesiga resumed following the winter break, with a home defeat to mid-table Cologne at the weekend leaving them fourth in the table, four points behind - another former Spurs man - Martin Jol's Hamburg.

Munich now meet Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, with Klinsmann believed to be potentially facing the axe should the German side lose to their Portuguese counterparts.

But the former Germany national coach, who guided his country to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup, is not worried and is confident his side will return to winning ways after the disappointment of the weekend.

"You cannot always solve things during a match just through playing ball, you have to be aggressive and passionate as well," he said.

"The way we have performed against Cologne is what we cannot afford again. At no time at all.

"I still think we are in a great way and I am confident we will win a trophy or two by the end of the season, but we have to pack up and perform now, starting on Wednesday in the Champions League."

Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.