When Ancelotti was given the sack in late September, Bayern Munich sat five points adrift of the top spot in the Bundesliga. Since Heynckes took over from the Italian, he has transformed the form of the Bavarians and notched up 15 victories in all competitions during his 16 games in charge. The 72-year-old has Bayern Munich back on top of the Bundesliga pile as they entered the winter break, a staggering nine points ahead of the chasing pack.
Jupp Heynckes knows just how to get the best out of Bayern Munich and given his exceptional run of results since his return, there has been talk of Heynckes being able to mastermind another treble. Heynckes previously guided Bayern to the treble during the 2012/2013 season and striker Robert Lewandowski thinks Heynckes is the man to lead them to yet another.
Speaking in early December Lewandowski said, “it’s not long ago since Jupp Heynckes took charge, but when I think about how he works with us in training, I think we can achieve a lot”. The seasoned tactician has the tails of his players up and they will be hard to stop domestically, they are currently backed at 1/66 to win the league in Bundesliga betting with Heynckes set to capture his fourth German title. Undoubtedly their biggest challenge with regards to completing the treble will be winning the Champions League.
Heynckes charges have managed to secure safe passage to the round of 16 and have drawn Besiktas in a tie they should dominate and eventually win. The Bavarians are well positioned under Heynckes to give the treble a real run but winning it won’t be a prerequisite when it comes to the club offering the 72-year-old a new deal.
According to Heynckes Bayern’s chief Jan-Christian Dreesen has asked him to “again and again to come by and sign my contract”. Carrying on Heynckes says he hasn’t negotiated with Bayern about a possible extension to his deal that runs until the end of the 2017/2018 season.
If Jupp Heynckes was a bit younger it seems unlikely there would be this much hesitancy to put pen to paper on a new deal. Heynckes is deep in the twilight period of his career as a manager and the prospect of yet another season of having to keep up with the demands of one of the top football clubs globally may prove to be too much, especially seeing as he came out of retirement to answer Bayern’s SOS.
Heynckes age will be less of a problem with the board at Bayern Munich. Football is a result based business and Heynckes is currently delivering exceptionally. The fans and everyone affiliated with the club will recognise the phenomenal job he is doing and will want him to stay.
The decision ultimately lies with Heynckes and it appears he won’t be rushed into committing his future to the club. He has been one of Bayern Munich’s greatest servant’s by handing the club immense success, time will tell if he has one last rodeo left in him.