5 managers that have excelled this season

#3 Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich)

Heynckes' work at Bayern is being criminally overlooked this season

The fact that Bayern Munich is 17 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and are in the Champions League quarter-finals yet again shouldn't be the reason to forget the start they had this season.

Yes, they are the most powerful club in Germany, and yes, they do have a squad packed with talent, but prior to Jupp Heynckes taking over as manager this season, the very same Bayern Munich team were 9 points behind now 3rd place Borussia Dortmund and were 2nd behind eliminated PSG in the Champions League. They had just been smashed 3-0 in Paris and were in crisis.

He came in with the team splintered and steadied the ship with such ease that it was almost 'expected.' This expectation is why more words aren't been spoken about Bayern and their manager this season. They are European elite, and yet they looked down and out a few months ago.

Heynckes is a manager from the older era that has stuck around and adapted. Colleagues from his generation have come and gone, but Heynckes has continued his work.

Yes, they may not have many challenges for the Bundesliga shield, but with that title wrapped up, they can focus on the Champions League. Having been handed the easiest draw of the round, Bayern will be expected in the semi-finals, after which nobody knows what can happen.

This confident, rejuvenated, devastating Bayern will be the team everyone will want to avoid.