Hitzfield to leave trophy-less Bayern

BAYERN MUNICH coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will part company with the German giants at the end of the season, sporting director Uli Hoeness confirmed yesterday.

Hitzfeld recently revealed his intention to leave when his contract expires in June 2005, but Bayern, unimpressed by a trophy-less campaign, fear another lacklustre season.

Former teacher Hitzfeld, 55, joined the Bavarian giants from Borussia Dortmund in 1998 and has won four domestic titles, two German Cups, a Champions League crown and the Intercontinental Cup in 2001.

But his job had been on the line after his failure to win anything when the 18-time German champions lost their title to Werder Bremen this season.

VfB Stuttgart manager Felix Magath has emerged as favourite to succeed Hitzfeld and is expected to seal a deal on Saturday.