Heynckes outlines his ‘clear plan’ to get Bayern firing again

Jupp Heynckes insists he has a “clear plan” to get stuttering Bayern Munich back on track and says one of his first aims is to restore confidence among the players.

The 72-year-old was officially presented by Bayern on Monday after being coaxed out of retirement to take over the reins of the German champions for the fourth time.

Heynckes, whose role lasts until the end of the season, inherits a Bayern side that have drawn their last two Bundesliga matches after surrendering two-goal leads as well as suffering a 3-0 Champions League mauling by Paris St Germain.

Those setbacks have left Bayern five points adrift of Borussia Dortmund domestically and third in their Champions League group, but Heynckes is optimistic things can be turned round.

The veteran German, who took charge of his first training session on Monday afternoon, told a press conference: “I’m looking forward to the challenge. I know how to deal with the players, how I have to work with them and I’m confident we can get back to winning ways.

“Our team has potential and quality. I need to tease that out of the players and get them back up to speed.

“The important thing is for the players to rediscover confidence in their own ability.

“I want to build a team where everybody works for each other and looks for the success of the team.

“I have a very clear plan and I know how to do it. Despite the current situation, I’m convinced the team will show a different side of themselves. We must show on the pitch that we are a team.”

Heynckes had called time on his long coaching career in 2013 after leading Bayern to a historic Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble, with Pep Guardiola replacing him.

The former Real Madrid, Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen boss admits he was not short of opportunities to get back into management but spurned them all – until Bayern came calling.

While stressing his return to the game is only temporary, he said: “I had offers from big European teams in the last few years but I decided against returning to coach.

“This is not a comeback. There is an expiry date. I’ve a lot to thank Bayern for. They were the springboard for my coaching career. That was one of the reasons for my decision.”

Heynckes’ first game back in the dugout will be Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Freiburg at the Allianz Arena, followed by next Wednesday’s Champions League visit of Celtic.

Bayern will be desperate to get their domestic and European campaigns back on track as soon as possible after faltering under Carlo Ancelotti and interim coach Willy Sagnol, but Heynckes has stressed the importance of taking things one step at a time.

The former West Germany striker said: “It is about restoring discipline to our game and to ease the situation, slow things down and be calm.

“There’s lots of work to do.”

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Jupp is the ideal coach for the situation we’re in.

“He’s the man who knows what needs doing, how to lead this team and get them back on track.

“The passion is still burning inside him.”