Sunderland face stiff competition from Bayern Munich for AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal.

The Daily Mail says further reinforcing his reputation by steering AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch League title, Van Gaal has shot to the top of Sunderland's wanted list, ahead of two former England managers, Steve McClaren and Sven Goran Eriksson.

But their chances of pulling off the boldest of moves has been hit by Bayern's decision to make the highly-regarded Dutch coach their top target to succeed the sacked Jurgen Klinsmann.

"We have a list of names who are under review, but Van Gaal is right up there at the top," confirmed Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer.