Triple coach Jupp Heynckes talks about the special relationship between him and FC Bayern, the secrets of the team - and his personal recipe for success.
- On the 120th anniversary of the club, Jupp Heynckes explains the special relationship between him and FC Bayern.
- The 74-year-old reveals that he still watches almost every Bayern game in front of the television.
- In a large interview, he also reveals how he supports the association today with advice and action.
- Munich - FC Bayern celebrates its 120th birthday on Thursday - and the greatest success in its history was winning the Triples in 2013 under Jupp Heynckes . Don Jupp has enjoyed legendary status ever since. The 74-year-old will never forget fans and managers that he stepped in to help Carlo Ancelott i, who was fired at the time, in autumn 2017 because his FC Bayern needed him. The interview as part of our large anniversary series.
Mr. Heynckes, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge described your relationship with FC Bayern as "almost sacrosanct" - is that true?
Heynckes : We had a professional, but particularly trusting cooperation. I played the European Championship and World Cup with Uli Hoeneß, but with Karl-Heinz I saw his first international game in Wales, I was a regular and he was a newcomer. We know each other very well and trust each other. I also say: It is a special way of being together, something very friendly. It was getting tighter.
Even today you are in demand as a consultant at FC Bayern * .
Heynckes : I deliberately did not take on an advisory role, but I am always ready to express my opinion on the various topics on request. That is very clear. But I think that there are so many bright minds and competent people working in management who know what to do. Even without my help (laughs).
How many inquiries have you received since you left?
Heynckes : We have had contact from time to time. But this is something that does not result from specific topics or questions, but from the fact that we just like to talk to each other occasionally. It is mutual.
Jupp Heynckes thanks the fans during his farewell as FC Bayern coach.
© picture alliance / dpa / Andreas Gebert
How much soccer is left in your head? Or more specifically: how much FC Bayern?
Heynckes (thinks about it ) : Of course I am still interested in the games in the Bundesliga and internationally, because then especially in the games of FC Bayern. Depending on how the game goes, I'm emotional - I want FC Bayern to win. Then the pulse goes up.
Do you watch every Bayern game?
Heynckes : Almost everyone. If I'm not prevented. But it may also be that it is a time when I get a little tired and have an afternoon sleep. 3:30 p.m. is such a great time to get up early in the morning. I sometimes have a low there (laughs).
You know FC Bayern * as a competitor and later a home club for almost 60 years. How has the club changed?
Heynckes : FC Bayern has developed into a “global player” - as they say today - over many decades. It is not just a top European club, but a world club. He has always got better, both sportily and economically, on the pitch and in the leadership.
When did you know that Uli Hoeneß would be a friend for life?
Heynckes : The friendship with Uli has developed over many years and has continued to this day. I recently spoke to my wife Iris about it: we were at the confirmation of Uli's son Florian - that was more than 30 years ago. We knew each other from the national team and always understood each other well. Since my first engagement in Munich, we have never lost sight of each other. Friendship is stronger today than ever.
What is friendship for you?
Heynckes : It is based on trust, honesty and respect. And that you know that the friend is there when you need him. For advice, in every situation. That applies to Uli - and vice versa as well. Of course there are also controversial opinions and discussions, that must endure a friendship. And also that you can express your opinion, take a position on things that you do not agree with. That has already happened between Uli and me. Nevertheless, we never had any differences in the end, but always came up with a common denominator.
When you came back a fourth time, you spoke of friendship and said, "You should never forget who was helpful to you." Where would you be without FC Bayern *?
Heynckes : I owe my national and - due to this - my international career as a coach to FC Bayern, the board, but especially Uli Hoeneß. Without this opportunity I would never have come to Spain, never to Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, never to Portugal to Benfica Lisbon. That's why I said it that way at the time: you should never forget the beginnings. And also not whoever made a decisive contribution that you could go your own way.
And where would FC Bayern be without you?
Heynckes : Phew. FC Bayern had outstanding coaches *, great personalities for many decades. It always worked. I personally do not want to judge my share in the success story of FC Bayern, my credo is: Everyone has to be replaced. But: Maybe Bayern would not have won the triple (laughs).
Do you sometimes have to smile at the reflex of the industry when looking for a Bayern coach: Bring Jupp Heynckes back !?
Heynckes : I think it's funny how the fans play with it on social media. I have to smile about their ingenuity. That is the one side, the other, that I also see it as a sign of trust. Supporting the fans is extremely important, I have always said that. That's why you have to see it in context that a few jokes are made with my name.
Nice jokes.
Heynckes : Of course. But anyone who thinks about it normally will come to the conclusion that at 74, you shouldn't take over a team. What I did before was borderline. I'm fit. But I also want to stay fit. And have time for me, for my family, my friends and my hobbies. Not always obligations. Football today is a daunting task for any coach. You shouldn't overestimate yourself, I've never done that before.
You have had four terms that were completely different. Let's start with the first, 1987 to 1991, two championships, and even then it was said: "An extraordinary relationship". What got stuck in particular?
Heynckes : It was a huge change for me to switch from the tranquil Mönchengladbach to Munich, to a media city in which I also had to learn. But even then I knew: if I want to get the bowl as a coach, I have to change. I won my first coaching championship with FC Bayern in 1989, it was very special.
Was that the most memorable discharge in 1991, which ended in five minutes in a round of sheep's heads?
Heynckes : That may be the case. At that time we were in the vacation home at Tegernsee by treasurer Kurt Hegerich. Karl Hopfner, Professor Scherer, Uli and me. We talked about canceling the contract for five minutes, then we opened the round of sheep heads. Then a great buffet was set up and we drank a glass of red wine. The whole thing had already become apparent during the summer break. The dismissal came as no surprise to me.
Do tell!
Heynckes : Well, dear FC Bayern had sold me the best players to Italy. Jürgen Kohler, Stefan Reuter - Klaus Augenthaler also ended his career. We still had four or five serious injuries. That's why I knew that it couldn't go well in sports. Uli Hoeneß has often said: "That was my biggest mistake." But I say: No! We made the mistake during the summer break. I was at peace with myself, had tried everything, but knew that you couldn't do anything about it.
Video: Trainer legend Jupp Heynckes steps down
They still came back to Säbener Strasse, many years later. 2009 as a brief interlude - but you licked blood, right?
Heynckes : That was five games, it was about qualifying for the Champions League. Of the five games, we won four and played one draw. We ended up second, so everything worked. Then Rudi Völler came and made me an offer. The two years in Leverkusen might not have been without Bayern. And then FC Bayern caught my eye again ...
The third term then ensured absolute triumph. In 2012, a year earlier, things were different. Was there the moment, shortly after the lost finale, when you wanted to throw down?
Heynckes : No. After 2012, where we finished second three times, I never thought about stopping. On the contrary! The team, staff, coaching team and I felt unprecedented motivation because of the lost Champions League final. This distinguishes big players - and that's how I was in my active time. I have drawn the greatest motivation from failures and disappointments.
In 2013 you were asked to let the sow out in London. It wasn't difficult, was it?
Heynckes : To be honest, that's something I never really liked: to present myself. I've always celebrated my successes in secret, for myself. I didn't like it publicly. Especially in the coaching job, it always goes on. I was never a great entertainer - or celebration beast, as Louis van Gaal so beautifully says.
120 years, a triple: this is no accident, is it?
Heynckes : Definitely not. But why did that work in 2013? Because everyone was extremely disappointed with 2012. This triple was due to the team, the guys in my team. This team was exceptional in terms of cohesion, behavior and discipline. We have worked so hard as never before. Everyone has to access everything every day, in every training session, tactically and physically. We also had eight or nine world-class players - you can get the triple there.
Triple, title - numbers are one thing. But players also often speak of them as "the best coach I've ever had".
Heynckes : My whole team was exceptional, we coaches had blind trust in each other and in the team. It was also important that I faced my players at eye level.
Do you have any examples?
Heynckes : I've already said to players that something is wrong with you. May I help you? I do not like you. The players were always perplexed, but mostly said: That's right. I've always been a good observer, that's important in this job. The respect for people that you can put yourself in the situation of others. That helped the players. That plays a very big role today. Human beings are often a problem in today's society.
You started as a trainer at the age of 34 and left at the age of 73 - this ability has probably only grown in you.
Heynckes : Of course. As a player, I was extremely ambitious; football was my life, my passion. That's how I was as a trainer, of course. I wanted to force a lot. Over time you have so much experience that you differentiate and evaluate a lot differently. Experience is priceless.
How do you manage not to take yourself too seriously in this branch and in this club?
Heynckes : It's my nature. I was born one day after the end of the war, as a boy I had to do without a lot. There wasn't much. But I was always satisfied with what little there was here. I have down-to-earthness and authenticity from home. We currently have almost eight billion people in the world - the individual should not take himself too seriously.
The club used to be the Hollywood club, now there is a smartphone generation. You had a lot to do besides the square, didn't you?
Heynckes : Today's zeitgeist is completely different. Overall, the players and their support are much more professional. I have always had many conversations with them, and have enjoyed working with them, and I have enjoyed working with every generation. Each was different, here and there it was more difficult, but on the whole it was mutual. It is no coincidence that we finished second three times in 2012. This year we needed to implement our common ground and perfect our cooperation. Then it clicked and we became a conspiracy. Everyone put their selfishness on the back burner.
Even players like Arjen Robben.
Heynckes: Of course, everyone! I've always been one who was very careful after injuring my players. An Arjen Robben didn't like that, he was ambitious and very impatient. But I had to deal with that. Sometimes I said Bastian Schweinsteiger: "Basti, talk to him!"
Many great ones have grown among you. Which player are you most proud of?
Heynckes : Demanding, promoting, doing better - that's what I wanted for every single player. I'll take Toni Kroos as an example, he made his breakthrough in Leverkusen. Lothar Matthäus was already with me as a player in Mönchengladbach. Each player has evolved in the phases in which we worked together. Also Mario Mandzukic, who became a real team player - that was symptomatic of the success.
Lame, Schweinsteiger ...
Heynckes : Philipp Lahm, through and through an exceptional player. Schweinsteiger, who was sensitive, who took a lot to heart, including criticism. I talked to him a lot, built him up. It is not for nothing that he is the idol of Bayern fans today.
Wembley triumphant Heynckes 2013 in London
© AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ
In conclusion: your most important game, your most beautiful victory?
Heynckes : The 3-1 in Cologne in 1989 was synonymous with the championship, my first as a coach. That was also a major boost for my career. And of course the Champions League final in Wembley against Dortmund 2013.
Your saddest moment?
Heynckes : The word disappointment fits better there. The defeat against Chelsea. We were clearly the better team, but we weren't ready yet. Two sure penalty takers ducked away, it was all symptomatic.
And what do you wish FC Bayern for the next 120 years?
Heynckes : 120 years - that's been a long time. But for the next decades: That FC Bayern's success story will continue nationally and internationally and that the club - as has been exemplary up to now - will fulfill its social obligations. Commerce and business are important nowadays, but there are more important things: The admission prices must remain affordable for the fans; and a classy and successful club like FC Bayern must never lose sight of the concerns of other clubs.
Interview: Hanna Raif
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