Heynckes holds Bayern talks

Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes has revealed that he has already held talks with Bayern Munich about taking over at the Bavarian club next season.

Only days after announcing that he will be leaving Leverkusen in the summer, Heynckes met with Bayern’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, board member Karl Hopfner and director of sport Christian Nerlinger yesterday.

“We were at my house in Schwalmtal late on Thursday afternoon,” Heynckes told the Bild newspaper.

“The talks went very well and both the people from FC Bayern and I will now consider things.”

Nothing has yet been agreed, not even in principle, but Heynckes hinted that he is keen on returning to Munich for a third time in his career.

“If I wasn’t, then I would not even have sat down to talk with them,” added the 65-year-old. “Things could now move very quickly.”

Heynckes last coached Bayern two years ago for the final five games of the season after Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked, and he led them into the Champions League before making way for Louis van Gaal.

Since Van Gaal’s contract will be terminated by mutual consent at the end of June, Bayern are again on the lookout for a new coach and Heynckes’ achievements in the last two seasons with Leverkusen, as well as his close friendship with Bayern’s president Uli Hoeness, have made him the number one candidate.