There can be no sweeter feeling for Bayern Munich today than winning a Bundesliga title – a sixth in succession – especially considering last week’s shattering 6-0 defeat of Borussia Dortmund.
That would have been the perfect occasion for Bayern to claim the title but they were nonetheless made wait because of Schalke’s 2-0 win against Freiburg.
Instead of wrapping up a 28th national title at home in front of their own fans, they did doing so with a thumping 4-1 win at Augsburg in the Bavarian derby.
This season proved beyond doubt that, even in a state of flux, Bayern are unbeatable domestically. Only twice before has the Bundesliga been decided quicker – both by Bayern and both in the last few seasons.
Carlo Ancelotti was widely reckoned to be failing in getting the best out of what is admittedly an extravagantly Bayern squad earlier this campaign. There were reports of Robert Lewandowski and others asking for more training such was the drop-off between what the players were used to under Pep Guardiola and the reality of life under the easy-going Italian.
The warning signs that Ancelotti was being outmanoeuvred were there a couple of weeks earlier when Bayern were caught on the hop and beaten 2-0 by Hoffenheim. Bayern acted decisively. Their season would not be derailed.
Jupp Heynckes has presided over 22 Bundesliga matches since taking over from caretaker Willy Sagnol in the wake of Ancelotti’s sacking in September. He has failed to record wins in only three. Moreover, he has sent his team out to win all their Champions League games too, including vengeance against PSG in the return match in December.
Heynckes was brought in to steady the ship; he’s a familiar operator to Bayern’s hierarchy which includes the longstanding CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Uli Hoeness.The 72-year-old was described in January by Boateng as a “father figure” for many within the Bayern squad, some of whom knew him well from his Champions League-winning days in 2013.
But it is increasingly likely that Heynckes will be gone come the season’s end – no matter what happens in the Champions League. Till then, Bayern can rejoice the moments with the 72-year old legendary coach.