Jupp Heynckes set to retire at season end, chooses his Bayern successor

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Bayern Munich veteran coach Jupp Heynckes has backed former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel as his heir to the Bavarian giants. Languishing well below the top three spot early this season, Bayern decided to sack Carlo Ancelotti and appointed Jupp Heynckes in October. Since then, Bayern have been flying high, currently sitting at the top with an unassailable 20-point lead.

However, despite resurrecting Bayern from a rather off-season, Heynckes remains clear of his retirement at season-end. The 72-year-old is touted to be having his final season as manager before he bids adieu to the game.

With Bayern on course for another treble under Heynckes, club bosses are keen to try to persuade him to stay, but former Dortmund coach Tuchel is among the bookmakers' favourites to take over.

"Dortmund under Tuchel played great football, with a good system. All the modern elements that are part of today's football were there. Tuchel was league runner-up, a German Cup winner and played attractive football," Heynckes told Sport Bild magazine on Wednesday.”

"I think that Thomas Tuchel has the quality to coach Bayern."

Tuchel’s fallout with Dortmund’s hierarchy didn’t go well as he was handed the sack last year. Since then, BVB appointed Peter Bosz at the club’s helm. But following a series of defeats in Bundesliga and Champions League, even he was sacked earlier this season with Peter Stoger now at the helm.

"The club has realized that the German language is very difficult for foreign coaches to learn.", Added Heynckes.

Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann has also been linked in the media with a possible move to Bayern, as has Germany coach Joachim Loew.