FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has hinted at a possible change of goalkeeper that would promote reserve Thomas Kraft to No. 1.
Van Gaal would not comment Friday on reports in Germany that the 22-year-old Kraft already has been named to take over from Hans-Joerg Butt, who is 36.
"We will wait on that, because I don't want to say anything yet," Van Gaal told German reporters with the team in Doha, Qatar, where it has set up camp to prepare for the second half of the Bundesliga season that starts Jan. 14.
While declining to discuss the subject, Van Gaal said that Kraft needs match practice under pressure.
"He (Kraft) has a great talent and we have to build him up a bit so that he can play under pressure," van Gaal said.
Kraft played in two Champions League games after Bayern had already qualified for the next round but has yet to play in the Bundesliga.
The contracts of both Kraft and Butt run out at the end of the season. Bayern is known to be interested in Schalke and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
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