Top 5 Managers who can replace Jupp Heynckes at Bayern

Jupp Heynckes – who could he possibly make way for?

The mid-season break in Germany is almost over and the general atmosphere around the Allianz Arena is one of joy and satisfaction. Bayern are topping the league by a distance, have progressed in the Cup, and are set to face Arsenal in the pre-quarters of the Champions League. One can’t be blamed for thinking that Jupp Heynckes’ post at Bayern is under no immediate threat. But a failure to deliver silverware at the end of the season could lead to a premature sacking; for the seat at Bayern’s helm comes with lofty expectations. So if the unlikely situation does arise, who could replace Heynckes at the Bayern helm? Here’s a peep into my top 5.

Ottmar Hitzfeld – Being one of the only 3 managers in world football to have won the Champions League with 2 different teams, this man is a legend of the dug-out. And more importantly from Bayern’s perspective, he’s the last manager to taste Champions League glory with the Bavarians. Yes he’s in the twilight of his managerial career but his Switzerland side were the only team to have beaten the mighty Spaniards in the 2010 World Cup. You can never write this man off and it won’t be much of a surprise if the fans welcome back ‘the General’ with open arms.

“Hitzfeld is the ultimate Bayern coach. He understands everything about football. He has the most modern methods and is very clever psychologically. He can handle the stars. He has everything a Bayern coach needs”—Oliver Kahn

Could Pep be the missing piece of the puzzle for Bayern?

Pep Guardiola – For all those going, “Not gonna happen!”, you can’t blame me for wishful thinking. Let’s face it – who wouldn’t want Pep at their favourite club’s helm at the moment? With Bayern playing a brand of swift attacking, passing game, Guardiola might just be the missing piece of the puzzle. Whether he has it in him to succeed outside Spain is yet to be seen; but given his record with Barcelona, he will pretty much be the Holy Grail of the managerial world once the present season comes to an end.

Joachim Loew – He might be under contract with the German national team till 2014 but it won’t be a shock if his name does come up. He hasn’t proved himself in club management but he definitely has it in him to thrive nonetheless. His tactical style is almost completely identical to the Bayern style and more than half of the Die Mannschaft starting 11 is from the Bayern ranks anyhow! Regarded as one of the most fashionable and charismatic managers in world football, his youthful exuberance and freshness might just be the tonic Bayern needs.

Jurgen Klopp – Wishful thinking again maybe, but this young maverick manager is one of the hottest properties in football management at the moment. Having picked up a struggling Dortmund side by the scruff of its neck and guiding them to successive Bundesliga titles, setting records for fun on the way, he represents the fearless young managers of today. Famed for his attacking style and focus on youth, his philosophies are not much different from those incorporated at Bayern these days. Although a move to bitter rivals Bayern seems highly unlikely, you can never rule it out. Heynckes himself joined Bayern from traditional rivals Leverkusen.

Lucien Favre – The present Borussia Monchengladbach coach is one of the most astute tacticians in the Bundesliga at this moment. Having saved Gladbach from the brink of relegation in the 2010-11 season, he catapulted them to an astonishing 4^th place finish last season (achieving a double against Bayern on the way). This two-time winner of the Swiss Manager of the Year award is a staunch believer of defensive organisation and he has his teams alternate between possession football and quick change in tempo. Doubters will question his ability to manage a club of such huge stature, but one thing is for sure – with him at the helm, Bayern will be a real tough nut to crack!