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Heynckes May Come Back to Football, But Not As A Manager
Jupp Heynckes has been linked left and right, up and down to managing this club, that club, or some other club. He was even linked to the German National Team job. Heynckes has shot all of those rumors down, saying in an interview with Kicker that he could be done managing, for good:
"I don't have any more ambitions to work as a manager; I want to nevertheless hold onto the notebook of action. I have something against to say conclusively 'that's it.' I was always my own man"
-Kicker (translated loosely)
ESPN FC's also snagged a quote from Spiegel saying something similar:
"I don't really like finality, but I can assure you that I do not intend to coach again. I had a worthy send-off."
-ESPN FC via Spiegel
He also was directly asked about the German National Team job, where he was linked at Joachim Löw's successor as the "Bundestrainer." Here is what he had to say regarding the national team job:
"I have no ambitions to be the Bundestrainer."
"It doesn't correspond with my nature. I don't want that"
-Kicker
Was it a change of heart? Was his vacation just too enjoyable? Well, the door still may be shut now, but I still don't think its locked. If a situation arises that is very favorable to Heynckes, whether close to home, I wouldn't be surprised if he came out of retirement. The longer he sits out though, the more definite it becomes.
Koscielny's Agent Confirms Bayern's Interest
The biggest statement from of the Football press on Monday came out of the mouth of French-Defender Laurent Koscielny's agent, courtesy of Mundo Deportivo:
"There has been no contact at all with Barcelona. I am sure that both Barca and Bayern have included his name on their list of three or four candidates to reinforce their defense."
-ESPN FC via Mundo Deportivo
Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC believes that both are preparing a £15 million for the 27-year-old. That would be in accordance with the Sun report two weeks ago that initially hypothesized FC Bayern's interest.
When an agent speaks, it always has to be taken with a grain of salt. Part of an agent's job is to create a market for their clients to get the best contract possible, so the fact that Koscielny's agent mentioned FC Barcelona and FC Bayern is not a surprise.
What is a bigger focus point is the fact that Bayern have been linked to a lot of centerbacks over the past two weeks. The question remains: do Bayern need another centerback with four options (Jérôme Boateng, Dante, Daniel Van Buyten, Jan Kirchhoff) already in the center of defense?
Vote in this week's poll question and post in the comments to tell us what you think!
Watzke: "Robert will definitely play for Borussia Dortmund next season"
Robert Lewandowski's transfer saga has turned into a little kid dragging his feet on the ground, not wanting to go home after playing outside. Süddeutsche Zeitung grabbed some words from Dortmund CEO Aki Watzke, cementing his position in not selling his star Polish striker.
"Robert will definitely play for Borussia Dortmund next season. We need planning certainty."
-Süddeutsche Zeitung (translated from ESPN FC)
Watzke also reiterated to the German newspaper that there is no request of any kind regarding Lewandowski, whether from his camp or from Bayern.
"There is no such promise. There is no verbal agreement and no written agreement. Factual, this is a lie"
-Süddeutsche Zeitung (translated from ESPN FC)
Some other big clubs – namely Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea – have inquired about Lewandowski's services. However, Freddie Röckenhaus from Süddeutsche Zeitung believes that Lewandowski's agent, Cezary Kucharski, is tightly bound to FC Bayern. One could infer that Bayern and Lewandowski's agents have some sort of an agreement, but of course that is all still speculation.
Stephan Ürsfeld also found through Bild that Karl Heinz Rummenigge has told Kucharski that he hopes to sign Lewandowski when he becomes a free agent in 2014.
One final thought for basketball fans: doesn't this remind you of the Dwight Howard saga? Of course, Lewandowski did not get Jürgen Klopp fired, but Howard also was set on going to the Brooklyn Nets, and then eventually the Orlando Magic were able to send him to the Los Angeles Lakers. I know they are two different sports with two different rules, but I can't help but draw some similarities.
In case you missed it:
With the Confederations Cup in full swing, it's worth checking in on the three Bayern players that are participating in the competition. Brazil won 3-0 against Japan, and Luiz Gustavo got his third start in this season of international play for Felipe Scolari's side. Dante started on the bench as Thiago Silva and David Luiz got the start in the center of the park. Gustavo has become very attractive to Scolari, who has been playing more conservative football so far this season. Spain beat Uruguay 2-1, and Javier Martinez made his Confederation Cup debut in the 77th minute, coming in for Xavi Hernandez in center midfield. It'll be interesting to see if Martinez can force his way into the lineup, maybe replacing Sergio Busquets.
We are also a week away from Pep Guardiola's unveiling press conference. His job does not officially start until July 1st, but he will nonetheless face the press in what could be the second highly anticipated Bayern press conference in a matter of a month (the first being Heynckes's) He will get his first opportunity to manage the side in the Audi Cup, when they take on Manchester City, AC Milan, and FC São Paolo at Allianz Arena.
If you hear any rumors that you want to post, Bayern related or not Bayern related, feel free! And be sure to vote in the poll!
Mia san mia! And thanks for reading!