Louis van Gaal was unveiled as Bayern Munich's new coach today and immediately set his sights on success.

After the disappointment of the ill-fated 2008-09 campaign, which cost Jurgen Klinsmann his job, Van Gaal is now aiming to restore Bayern's supremacy in the Bundesliga in the short term while also masterminding a longer-term assault on the Champions League.

The Dutchman met the media for the first time after leading his first training session and was not shy about his plans for the Bavarian club.

"Our aim is to fight for the title," he said.

"In the Champions League, we want to make it to the last eight. My long-term aim is set out over several years and maybe end with winning the Champions League.

"I always want to write history. I have done that with every club I have worked for. It only failed to work out with the (Dutch) national team."

He continued: "I think that the culture of Bayern Munich is right for me," he said.

"The Bavarian way of life suits me like a warm coat. Confident, arrogant, dominant, honest, hard-working, innovative but also warm and familiar - these are the characteristics which define me and that is why I think I fit in here.

"I am very proud and happy to work here with such a big club."

Klinsmann lasted just 10 months in the job having failed to fulfil expectations and was never able to take Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga table, a failure which led to his dismissal in April.

And Van Gaal was the overwhelming choice to take over due to his experience and proven track record at the highest level.

"When we discussed with the board and (chairman) Franz Beckenbauer who we wanted, everybody gave a list with their own ideas and all four had Van Gaal's name on it," explained general manager Uli Hoeness.

"Two days later, we flew to Holland where we had a very good discussion with him and saw that things worked.

"We had a great relationship with Louis and (his former club) AZ Alkmaar and we are delighted to have Louis here."

Seven new faces were present on the first day of training today and Van Gaal expects to bring a new look to the side while sticking to his tried-and-tested principles.

Newcomers Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Mario Gomez, Ivica Olic, Alexander Baumjohann, Andreas Gorlitz, Daniel Pranjic and Edson Braafheid will have to get to know their new surroundings in quick time, but Van Gaal is confident he can make a difference.

"I am a communicator and the players will like that because I will quickly teach them my philosophy," he explained.

"It is a shame that our preparation for this season is so short. I would have preferred it to be different.

"For my philosophy to work, we need lots of hours of training and we don't have this.

"I will be very happy when we get through the first two months if we can avoid many injuries and get as many wins as possible.

"We cannot do everything in one month but rather need two years. I ask people to trust me."

Hoeness, meanwhile, has warned that their could be further changes to the playing squad once Van Gaal has had a chance to assess them in training.

"We have told all the players that the new coach will certainly need two or three weeks to get an impression," explained Hoeness.

"Then he will tell the players clearly and directly how he sees their chances. These players will then be given the chance to react."