29.03.2024

Jupp Heynckes takes charge of Bayern Munich training

Jupp Heynckes’ fourth spell as Bayern Munich coach got underway on Monday afternoon as the veteran manager took charge of his first training session since returning. 

Heynckes looked in good spirits as he took first team training at the Sabener Strasse complex just hours after being unveiled as Bayern’s manager until the end of the season.

The 72-year-old shared a joke with Arturo Vidal, who he ordered to return from international duty with Chile following the midfielder’s suspension for his country’s final World Cup qualifier.

Jupp Heynckes offers up a wave during his first training session back at Bayern Munich

Jupp Heynckes offers up a wave during his first training session back at Bayern Munich 

Heynckes jokes around with Arturo Vidal – who he ordered to return from international duty

Heynckes jokes around with Arturo Vidal - who he ordered to return from international duty

Heynckes oversaw a depleted squad with many of Bayern's players away with their country

Heynckes oversaw a depleted squad with many of Bayern’s players away with their country

HEYNCKES AT BAYERN

1987-91: P198 W113 D46 L39 W%57.1

2009: P5 W4 D1 L0 W%80

2011-13: P109 W83 D12 L14 W%76.2

TOTAL: P312 W200 D59 L53 W%64.1

HONOURS: Bundesliga x3 (1989, 1990, 2013), German Cup (2013), Champions League (2013)

Heynckes took charge of a depleted squad with the majority of Bayern’s team currently on international duty with their respective countries.

He was appointed to replace Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian was dismissed following a poor start to the season by the German champions which has left them five points behind Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Ancelotti was sacked following a 3-0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain and caretaker boss Willy Sagnol took charge of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin which saw Bayern sacrifice a two-goal lead.

It is Heynckes’ fourth separate spell as manager of the Bavarians and thirty years since he first took charge of Bayern back in 1987.

He previously said he would never manage again after leaving Bayern in 2013 but joked in his introductory press conference that his dog helped convince him to take the post.

Heynckes talks with fitness coach Thomas Wilhelmi during the session at Sabener Strasse

Heynckes talks with fitness coach Thomas Wilhelmi during the session at Sabener Strasse

Heynckes was back on familiar territory after being named as manager for the fourth time

‘It’s been a difficult time, but my wife and my daughter said I should do it,’ Heynckes said. ‘My dog also barked twice, so that meant I should do it’.

Heynckes said he was hoping to instil confidence in the team following their poor start to the season and was looking for players to fill the void left by former leaders Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

‘These players Lahm and Schweinsteiger sorted a lot of important things in the changing room. We need that again to give the other players more confidence,’ Heynckes added.

‘Success is the most important thing. From a sporting point of view, many things must be changed and improved.

Heynckes faces a run of seven matches in three weeks beginning with a clash against Freiburg

Heynckes faces a run of seven matches in three weeks beginning with a clash against Freiburg

Heynckes replaces Carlo Ancelotti on a deal which lasts until the end of the 2017-18 season

‘It’s no secret that Thomas Muller isn’t playing to his full potential, or that Jerome Boateng has struggled after a series of bad injuries.

‘I know what I have to do. I need to sit down and speak to the players, and re-instill that feeling of togetherness. I have a clear plan.’

Muller was one of the Bayern players absent at Heynckes first training session while on international duty with Germany.

The forward said he was looking forward to working with Heynckes while aiming a sly dig at his former boss Ancelotti over his training methods.

The 72-year-old joked that his dog had convinced him to take the Bayern job for a fourth time

The 72-year-old joked that his dog had convinced him to take the Bayern job for a fourth time

‘We will have a good training again’, Muller told Welt. ‘Heynckes is the right man because he can inspire the team to have the ability to suffer more, to have more commitment and a better defensive set-up.

‘Heynckes will work with interest and passion. There are several screws that need to be turned. The team have some responsibilities to carry out.’

Heynckes’ first match in charge will be a home fixture against Freiburg on Saturday – a fixture which begins a run of seven games in three weeks and ends with a clash against title rivals Dortmund on November 4.
Thomas Muller (centre) fired a parting shot to departing Bayern manager Ancelotti

Ancelotti was dismissed following a 3-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League 

Ancelotti was dismissed following a 3-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League

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