Bayern appoint Heynckes as new manager

BERLIN: Jupp Heynckes is coming out of retirement to take over as coach of Bayern Munich until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club said on Friday.

Bayern sacked Carlo Ancelotti last week.Heynckes, 72, led Bayern to the domestic league and Cup double and the Champions League title in 2013 before making way for Pep Guardiola.

Ancelotti took over last season but the Italian was fired after Bayern slipped to second place in the league, squandering two-goal leads in consecutive games.“I wouldn’t have returned to any other club in the world, but FC Bayern Munchen are very close to my heart,” Heynckes said in a statement on the club website (www.fcbayern.com).

“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.”Heynckes, who also coached Bayern from 1987-91, will reunite with former assistants Peter Hermann and Hermann Gerland, who were part of his backroom staff during the club’s season.

Hermann has left his post as assistant coach at Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Duesseldorf, while Gerland — currently sporting head of Bayern’s youth set-up — will now work with the first team until the end of the season.