Hoeness offers Heynckes backing

10:10, 31 May 2012

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has backed coach Jupp Heynckes to bring success back to the club and disregarded concerns over his age.

Bayern have now gone two years without a trophy but came close to ending that drought when they lost to Chelsea on a penalty shoot-out in the final of the Champions League earlier this month.

Heynckes returned to the club for a second spell last summer and close friend Hoeness remains confident the 67-year-old is the best man for the job.

"From day one, people are asking: who is going to succeed Heynckes?" he said.

"Jupp Heynckes is no lame duck. He is a very respected and hard-working coach who always gives 100%.

"Overall, under his guidance, the team has made the fans very happy."

Heynckes has made no secret of the fact coaching Bayern will be his last assignment, but Hoeness says he must not necessarily retire at the end of next season, when his current contract is up for renewal.

"I think this discussion about our coach's age is an absolute scandal," he told the Welt newspaper.

"There is only one argument: is he good or bad?

"Alex Ferguson is 70 and his Manchester United side were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, and then the worst thing that can happen to him in Manchester happened with City winning the title.

"I have not read anywhere that Ferguson should leave.

"We should be relaxed about this issue at FC Bayern, but at the same time we must protect our people."