I know what to do to get the team back on the road to success: Jupp Heynckes

CAIRO – 10 October 2017: Jupp Heynckes said on Monday at his official presentation as Bayern's new coach that he knows what he has to do to get the team back on the road to success, pointing out that one of the keys is for players to re-entrust their virtues to him, and that dialogues with the staff will play a key role.

“This isn’t about me; this is about Bayern Munich. I hope that the two men sitting next to me will be able to find a top German coach to take over in eight months time. It won’t be easy - there are many great, young coaches out there,” he said.

He also said he had realized that there are young coaches in the Bundesliga who have been playing good football with their teams, referring to Thomas Tüchel and Julian Nagelsmann, who have sounded like candidates for the Bayern bench.

"I've followed all that; I like it, but I think I know how football works, and I know what I have to do," he said.

One of the keys, according to Heynckes, is to re-create a clear hierarchy within the template.

"If I look at the last few years, I see that there has been a clear hierarchy in the years of success. There have been players like Philippe Lahm, Bastian Shweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso, and now there are Jerome Boateng, Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery - who often solved problems before the coach had to intervene," he said.

"It's important to define the hierarchy and give the players confidence. I know that the Spanish and the South Americans are excellent professionals, but they need leadership," he said.

Heynckes asked that his words not be interpreted as a criticism of his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.

"Ancelotti is a great gentleman and a great coach. The players I know in the current squad are incredibly professional, as are the Spanish-speaking players. They need leadership. I’m the type of coach who likes communicating with his players. I feel I need to re-establish a sense of togetherness,” he added.

“Carlo Ancelotti is an incredible coach and great coach. Whatever I have to say is certainly not directed against him. He led Bayern to the German title last season. I have nothing but respect for Carlo. I met him in Madrid a few years ago and was very impressed,” He continued.

Heynckes stressed that the decision to return to the bench at age 72 has nothing to do with a longing for him, but with Bayern and what he owes the club.

“It wasn’t an easy decision for me. I’ve been keeping fit, I’ve been swimming a lot and I always take our sheep dog for a walk. My wife needs a knee operation, though; so it was a very tough decision. It’s been a difficult time, but my wife and my daughter said I should do it. My dog also barked twice, so that meant I should do it.”