Opinions split over Heynckes’ return

berlin — Jupp Heynckes has come out of a four-year retirement to take charge of Bayern Munich for a fourth time, but opinions are divided as to whether the treble-winning coach can boost their flagging fortunes.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is convinced Bayern have the “ideal coach” for now in Heynckes, who will lead the team only until the end of the season — he took over after Italian Carlo Ancelotti was sacked 10 days ago.

However, senior figures in German football are not so sure the 72-year-old Heynckes can turn things around, especially given the stars of his 2012/13 treble campaign like Arjen Robben, 33, and the injured Franck Ribery, 34, are themselves ageing.

“Experience is important, Jupp Heynckes and his coaches did everything right (in 2013),” ex-Germany coach Berti Vogts told German daily Bild.

“Unfortunately on the playing side, experience isn’t everything, especially in attack.

“For the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, it’s not enough at the top level of international football.

“They don’t go into the challenges like they used to, especially away from home.”

Germany coach Joachim Loew was wary about Heynckes’s prospects. “On most levels, experience is worth it’s weight in gold in football, but not on all counts,” said Loew. —