Holzhauser hails duo's impact

Leverkusen executive says Heynckes and Hyypia have helped side

By Thomas Zocher   Last updated: 12th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Holzhauser hails duo's impact

Heynckes: Taken Leverkusen to the top

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Bayer Leverkusen executive Wolfgang Holzhauser describes the arrivals of manager Jupp Heynckes and defender Sami Hyypia as a stroke of 'good fortune'.

Heynckes replaced Bruno Labbadia - now managing Hannover - at the helm in the summer and has subsequently lead Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga with the side yet to be beaten in their opening 12 games.

However Holzhauser believes the real test will come when the club face Bayern Munich when the league returns from international duty on 22nd November.

Holzhauser was quick to criticise former boss Labbadia, who slammed the club after his departure, but heaped praise on Heynckes and Hyypia citing their arrival as the reason for the their impressive defensive record. Leverkusen have conceded just eight goals in the league.

"Last season I claimed Bruno Labbadia had been just the right manager this club could appoint, well, I would like to retract those words," he told Rheinische Post.

"But who, in person, is able to make true predictions? There was some atmosphere at the club in the end, but we are happy now as they are pieces of good fortune for this club.

"They have led us to be a lot tighter at the back and act more solid in defence."

Different stages

Holzhauser continued by highlighting how important the clash with Bayern in ten days' time will be: "I regard the Bundesliga schedule like the stages of the Tour de France.

"We have gone beyond some big stages right now, but the icing on the cake remains Bayern Munich. Playing them is almost the biggest stage of them all.

"Maybe we could make a big show already next match. We have not won against Bayern for 20 years in a row. This could well come to an end."