Bayern boss to retire in the summer
Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has indicated he will retire from coaching at the end of the season.
The 68-year-old will make way at the Allianz Arena for Pep Guardiola in the summer and said today Saturday’s match at Borussia Monchengladbach would be his last in the Bundesliga.
It will be followed by the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley and the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart as Heynckes, who said he was no longer interested in coaching abroad, looks to sign off with a treble.
“For me it will not be an easy game on Saturday, not a normal game,” he told reporters.
“It will be my last Bundesliga game as coach. I grew up in Monchengladbach. It is a good game to prepare for Wembley.”
Heynckes has also coached in Spain with Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Tenerife and in Portugal with Benfica.
He added: “If I was 10 or 15 years younger I would think again about a position abroad. But I have to bear in mind that I am no longer the youngest.
“Clubs want generational change – you naturally don’t get that with a 68-year-old.”
Bayern winger Arjen Robben has also been linked with an exit, with that speculation intensifying following the signing of Mario Gotze, who will join from Dortmund in the summer.
The Dutchman was linked with Manchester City in reports in Germany today, but when asked about his future he said: “I am not concerned with that, there are always so many rumours.
“I still have two years on my contract. Why should I go?
“I have shown in the last games that I can play my part at Bayern. That is the most important thing for me.”
Bayern, already Bundesliga champions, will bid for European glory on May 25.
The Bavarian giants have played in, and lost, two of the last three finals, most recently losing on penalties to Chelsea in their own stadium last May.
And attacking midfielder Thomas Muller admitted this time Bayern had to come away victorious.
“The spice is there in the final,” he said. “I like spice. There is a lot at stake for both sides, which makes it fun, right?
“But seriously, it’s high time we won the thing. If you have lost three times, then you have the stamp of a loser and not without justification – but no one wants that.”
Robben added: “It is nice to play in a final. But now we also have to win one. Last year was a huge disappointment. Now we have improved again.”
Robben also revealed he was looking forward to returning to Wembley, having won the FA Cup there with Chelsea in 2007.
“We are all looking forward to Wembley,” he added. “I know the stadium. I played there in an FA Cup final for Chelsea. There is no better atmosphere than in Wembley. The atmosphere there is unique.”
