Heynckes taking a break for now

Bayern Munich's triple-winning boss Jupp Heynckes today confirmed he will not coach a team next season, despite receiving offers to take charge of "rich clubs where money does not matter".



Heynckes has been heavily linked with the vacancy at his former club Real Madrid after the departure of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, but has opted to take a break to spend more time with his family.



The 68-year-old, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal titles this season, said at a press conference: "I will not seek a new job after July 1, either at home or abroad.

"I told my wife last summer I will fulfil my contract at Bayern and then not continue.



"Other clubs were interested in signing me after this season - rich clubs where money does not matter.



"Such clubs have never interested me."

He admitted age was a factor in his decision, adding: "I've noticed, especially in the last few weeks, that I have reached an age at which regeneration takes longer.

"I felt that I went to the limit, it was incredibly stressful."

Bayern executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who helped install former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola as Heynckes' successor for next season, suggested the door will always be open for a man who has coached, among others, Real Madrid, Benfica and Schalke, in a long career.



Rummenigge said: "If sometime, after his holiday has passed and his spirit has returned, he can call myself and (supervisory board chairman) Uli (Hoeness).

"The doors at Bayern are still wide open."

Bayern celebrates treble in Munich

Bayern Munich did not let the weather dampen its spirits as it paraded its three titles to its fans.



The rain which has fallen over Munich almost without exception since February did not want to make way for Bayern's treble-winning party in the city's central Marienplatz, but temperatures as low as seven degrees proved no deterrent for around 20,000 fans.



"Not only do we have a world class team, but we also have world class fans," said coach Jupp Heynckes on his penultimate public appearance as Bayern coach, his last coming on Tuesday when he announces his future plans at a press conference in the city.



"Without fans like you, we would never have been able to achieve what we have done."



Heynckes, parading the UEFA Champions League trophy won in London a week ago alongside the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, was also able to make good on a promise he made over two decades ago.



"I stood on this balcony in 1990 and, rather cockily, promised you the European Cup," he said.



"Well today I'm delivering on my promise: here is the Champions League."



It was the Bayern players' second appearance on the balcony of the city hall this northern summer, the first of which took place after its final home Bundesliga game of the season.



It returned with two more trophies, the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal, parading an historic maiden treble in the history of German football.

Heynckes stays grounded

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes was refusing to take anything for granted despite his side's 4-0 demolition of Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

The German champions produced a stunning display to dismantle Barcelona at the Allianz Arena to leave them with one foot in next month's final at Wembley.

Heynckes believes the tie is far from over and knows they must stick to their gameplan in the second leg at Camp Nou if they are to finish off the job.

"I am happy about the result, but I am not moved by it," said Heynckes. "I know that we still face 90 very difficult minutes in Spain.

"We will enjoy what happened tonight, but not more. It is important to stick to your tactical guidelines against Barcelona and that is what makes my team stand out this year."

Heynckes admits Bayern's hunger to make up for their disappointment in the Champions League in the last two years is the driving force behind their success this season.

"We have been displaying extraordinary football for the entire season now," added Heynckes.

"Falling short of success in the past two years has only made them more hungry to win this year.

"The tactical awareness of this team is top notch as well, just like their willingness to run and fight for one another. Today's game was a perfect example of that."


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Heynckes: No Pep talk

Jupp Heynckes says he does not need Pep Guardiola's advice on how to beat Barcelona on Tuesday night.



Bayern Munich's outgoing boss must mastermind a two-legged victory over the team built by his successor if the Germans are to reach a second successive UEFA Champions League final next month.

But ahead of the first leg at the Allianz Arena Heynckes made it clear Guardiola is not Bayern's manager just yet.

"I admire Pep Guardiola, but I don't need any advice from other coaches," he said at the pre-match press conference in Munich.

"I know my team better than anybody and I also know a lot about Spanish football and Barcelona. There has been no kind of contact at all."

Bayern have been beaten finalists in two of the past three years, but Heynckes rubbished suggestions last season's failure to get the job done on home soil against Chelsea would weigh heavily almost 12 months on.

He said: "Bayern are currently playing the most modern, contemporary football in the history of this club.

"We will not be wasting any thoughts on the failure against Chelsea last year. We have a plan for the game."

Lionel Messi is expected to be fit for the game, but Heynckes said: "I expect he will be able to play and it is not something which is causing me a headache. Barca are about more than just Messi."
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Heynckes: I would never ask Guardiola for help

The Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has reacted angrily to suggestions that he might enlist the help of the former Barcelona boss ahead of his side's clash with the Barca.



style="border-radius: 25px 25px 25px 25px; border: 5px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);" width="320" />Jupp Heynckes has reacted angrily to suggestions that he could consult Pep Guardiola about Bayern Munich's upcoming Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.



The former Blaugrana boss will take over the reins at the Allianz Arena in the summer, but the 68-year-old has claimed that anyone who believes he would give his successor a call of being disrespectful.



"Please respect me and my work," he told reporters.



"I have never consulted anyone!"



Looking ahead to the tie, Heynckes said that he is expecting two great games against a team whom he knows well.



"We'll see two very entertaining games. Both teams like to attack and have a solid defence with good tactical awareness," he continued.



"I said before the Juventus game that I don't think playing the first leg at home is a disadvantage. Camp Nou is certainly a special stadium and we can expect a fantastic atmosphere there.



"I know Spain football very well because I've always been interested in it, even after I left Spain.



"Barcelona aren't just [Lionel] Messi. They have great players like Xavi [Andres] Iniesta, ]Sergio] Busquets, [Cesc] Fabregas and [David] Villa."

Heynckes happy with victory

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said his side's preparation paid off after taking a two-goal advantage against Juventus at the Allianz Arena.

style="border-radius: 25px 25px 25px 25px; border: 5px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);" width="213" />The German side got off to the best possible start in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg when David Alaba's deflected first-minute strike found the net.

Bayern then dominated but could not add to their advantage until Thomas Muller's 63rd minute tap-in

But their first leg victory came at a price as midfielder Toni Kroos was replaced by Arjen Robben on 16 minutes with a groin injury and is expected to miss six weeks.

Heynckes said: "We studied Juventus closely, prepared well for this game and we managed to disturb their game early and take (Italy midfielder) Andrea Pirlo out of the game.

"We have to be happy with the result, it's never easy to beat an Italian side and dominate them.

"It doesn't look so good for Toni, we're waiting for more results of tests, he's an important player for us."



Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was delighted with the win as last year's runners-up attempt to reach the semi-finals of the competition next Wednesday.

"It was a great game and that is a great result to take to Turin nex

t week," he said.