Bayern Munich appoint Jupp Heynckes as head coach
Friday 6 October 2017 16:05, UK
Bayern Munich have appointed Jupp Heynckes as head coach until the end of the season.
The 72-year-old returns to take charge of the Bundesliga champions for a fourth time after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked last month following a 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel and Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann had both been linked with the vacant role at the Allianz Arena but Bayern have instead turned to the experience of Heynckes, who won a Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble during his last spell with the Bavarians.
Heynckes retired from management in 2013 but admits the offer to take charge of Bayern was too good to turn down.
"I wouldn't have returned to any other club in the world, but FC Bayern München are very close to my heart," said Heynckes, in a statement on Bayern's website.
"My coaching staff and I will now do everything to bring back successful football for the fans. I'm very much looking forward to this challenge."
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Heynckes is the right man to resurrect the club's season after a disappointing start under Ancelotti.
"There's a great mutual trust between Jupp Heynckes and FC Bayern," he said. "That showed itself again in the conversations that [club president] Uli Hoeneß, [sporting director] Hasan Salihamidžić and I have had with him.
"We're very thankful to Jupp that he's accepted the offer of head coach. He's the ideal man for FC Bayern at this moment in time."
Bayern currently trail rivals Borussia Dortmund by five points in the Bundesliga, while the German champions also find themselves second in their Champions League group, three points behind Paris Saint-Germain.
Heynckes will take charge of his first game as head coach when Bayern host Freiburg on October 14 after the ongoing international break.
