How Jupp Heynckes revitalised Bayern München
Bayern München are flying high in the Bundesliga, 20 points clear of their nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund in 2nd place. They are in the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal and hold a 5 nil aggregate lead against Beşiktaş in the Champions League round of 16.
The Bavarians have made a phenomenal turnaround since their 3–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain 5 months ago; the final nail in the coffin for former Boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian, despite retaining the league title in his one full season in charge, always stuck out like a sore thumb in Bavaria. His laissez-faire approach to management and questionable team selections kept him under the microscope of the club’s hierarchy.
Moreover, he never really had the full trust of the players. In hindsight, his appointment was a recipe for disaster from the very beginning.
The board elected to go for the familiar, convincing club legend Jupp Heynckes to pause his retirement and attempt to steer the team back on course.
The man who led Bayern to the treble in 2013 has vindicated the faith the club’s management has had in him by leading the team to 22 wins in their last 25 games.
Not only are Bayern winning, they are playing with the swagger, confidence, and tenacity of seasons gone by; which was noticeably absent under Ancelotti’s stewardship.
1. Tactics
Heynckes has brought back his tried and tested 4–2–3–1 formation, he has however occasionally dabbled with 4–3–3 and 4–1–4–1. Showing that 4 years in retirement has only increased the flexibility of his footballing brain.
He has moved Javi Martínez from central defense back to midfield where the Spaniard has rediscovered the form which made Bayern sign him in the first place.
Additionally, Heynckes has done brilliantly to integrate new signing James Rodriguez, who, alongside Thomas Müller, has been the creative force in the ‘number 10’ role, behind the goal machine that is Robert Lewandowski.
Although the personnel have changed quite a bit since 2013, the essence of Jupp’s Bayern, the wingers, remain. Kingsley Coman and Arjen Robben, alongside fullbacks David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich, provide the main thrust of Bayern’s attack down the flanks. Alternating between the wide and half-spaces depending on the situation, the 4 have combined to devastating effect this season.
Defensively, Jupp has reinstated his intense pressing game, while incorporating aspects of positional play the Bavarians were taught by Pep Guardiola.
2. Players
Because of his previous achievements, superb man-management, and motivating skill, Jupp is virtually a deity to the Bayern dressing room. He has masterfully managed the variety of egos at the Allianz Arena, restoring harmony among all the players.
Robben and Ribery, the veteran wingers nearing the end of their careers, have been reinvigorated by Heynckes’ return. The pair continue to give their all on the pitch despite their ageing bodies and limited playing time.
Thomas Müller, a player who appeared to have lost all footballing prowess under Carlo Ancelotti, has benefited the most from Jupp’s re-appointment. He has rediscovered his zest, energy, and confidence; plenty of goals and assists have followed consequently.
The gangly, awkward, German forward is now vice-captain and the only home-grown player in the senior squad; with a World Cup coming up in just 4 months time, his return to form couldn’t have come at a better time.
Jupp Heynckes has reached the Champions League final every season he has coached a team in the competition, he also has the best win rate (70.7%) of any manager in the history of the competition.
With Bayern playing the way they are now, the Allianz Arena faithful have begun to dream of a second treble.
