Treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes rules out Barca job
Treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes has poured cold water on speculation linking him to the vacant Barcelona job as the ex-Bayern Munich boss insisted he is enjoying his retirement. The 68-year-old steered Bayern to become the first German club to win the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup last season as the Bavarian giants swept aside all rivals.
As well as capturing their fifth European title, Bayern broke or equalled 25 Bundesliga records en route to winning the German league by a staggering 25 points. Heynckes stepped down as Bayern coach following his history-making feat but has said he has no interest in replacing Tito Vilanova, who resigned as Barcelona coach on Friday.
‘I think now it would be impossible to take on a new club after my time at Bayern Munich,’ Heynckes told Germany’s Sky Sports News. ‘I keep myself busy, I have hobbies, I do some sports, I have my pets and a huge garden to keep me occupied.’
With Vilanova, 44, walking away from the Barca job to continue cancer treatment, a poll in the Spanish media put Heynckes top of the potential list of candidates. ‘I understood the signals from my body and rightfully so,’ he said. ‘I feel well and enjoy having some time to myself.’ Former Dutch legend Ronald Koeman has also ruled himself out.
Guardiola thinks of stricken Vilanova
New Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola said his thoughts were with former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova on Saturday after overseeing his first match in charge of the Bavarians. Bayern thrashed Hamburg 4-0 in a 60-minute runout in their Telekom Cup pre-season encounter to book a final with hosts Borussia Moenchengladbach, who saw off Borussia Dortmund 1-0 courtesy of a last-gasp Filip Daems penalty. ‘It is very diffcult for me to talk about this subject in German. (Vilanova) is a close friend of mine and I love him very much,’ said Guardiola.
He added: ‘I can only wish him and his family the best as they confront this difficult moment with strength. This is very, very tough for me.’ He was happy overall with the Bayern atmosphere.
