An open ‘Danke’ to Jupp Heynckes as the 2017/2018 season concludes for Bayern Munich

No words can fully describe just how much Jupp Heynckes means to Bayern Munich and vice versa. The man who led the club to its famous treble in 2013 stepped in to a difficult situation after Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed and completely reinvigorated the squad en route to claiming their sixth consecutive Bundesliga title. Overall, Heynckes has accumulated a managerial record of 232 wins, 56 losses, and 63 draws with Bayern and has led them to four Bundesliga titles, three DFL Supercups, one DFB Pokal trophy, and the Champions League title in 2013. More importantly, Jupp has established himself as one of the Bayern Munich crowd’s favorites as a man who truly loves everything about the club and its supporters.

Last Saturday vs. Stuttgart, Heynckes walked out of the tunnel at the Allianz Arena for the last time as manager of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in what was an incredibly emotional moment for everyone involved with the club. He still has the DFB Pokal final to go, but his last home match prompted a heart-felt reception from both sets of fans inside the Allianz Arena both before and after the match.

(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)

Here at Bavarian Football Works, a collection of us would each individually like to take the time to show our appreciation for Jupp and thank him for all he’s done this season.

Chuck Smith: Danke Jupp! Bayern Munich’s resurgence under you was nothing short of amazing. Simply put, where some others never got “it” about the Bayern culture, you were “it.” Congrats on a long and fulfilling career. Enjoy those mornings at home with your family and Cando, the dog who influenced you to give it one more run at greatness!

Tom Adams: 2012/2013 was the season I really fell in love with Bayern Munich, and what you did with that squad that season was nothing short of amazing. I will never forget seeing you emerge from the tunnel again for the first time this season vs. Freiburg to a deafening reception; smiling, signing autographs for young kids behind the bench, and fully embracing the atmosphere. That day marked a turning point in the season that we owe fully to you and your unwavering ability to inspire and motivate. Danke und alles Gute, Jupp!

Gopika CPB: One of the happiest moments in my life was when the club announced that they’re bringing you back. It kind of felt like 2013 was going to repeat itself all over again. It’s always great to see you on the sidelines and the thought of that never happening again is devastating. Thanks for so many wonderful memories, sir! There honestly aren’t enough words to express the gratitude. Vielen Dank, Jupp! Stay healthy and live long!

John N. Dillon: Thanks, Jupp, for coming out of retirement to save Bayern Munich. It obviously was a labor of love, but I think people don’t appreciate what a labor it still was. Leaving wife and dear Cando behind to rescue and manage one of the biggest, most ambitious soccer clubs in the world from a hotel room in Munich at the age of 72? I’m not surprised one year was enough. And what a year! And you not only righted the ship; you steered it clear of the shoals all the way to the Champions League semifinal and a massive first-place lead in the Bundesliga. What difference a few months make! Jupp, you made our players better, our club better, and really our entire season better. It was a delight to follow you on your final campaign, and it’s only fitting that you go down in history as an elite and criminally underrated coach.

Jacob Dorman: When I first started thinking about the idea of “Danke Jupp,” I tried to think of some of my favorite moments from his time as manager. The problem, of course, was that there were too many to choose from. Thinking of Jupp reminded me of why we love sports in the first place. It is not just those individual moments of joy, it is the way they become a part of our lives, whether we need a respite from reality or simply a reason to have a beer at 2:45 on a Tuesday. So danke, Jupp for everything you did for Bayern and everything you did for us, the fans.

Regardless of what happens vs. Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Pokal final in Berlin, we owe so much to Heynckes for everything he’s done for Bayern Munich, but it would be the perfect send off to see him lift one more trophy to conclude what’s been a relationship defined by ‘Mia San Mia.’

Let’s get one more for Jupp!

(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Feel free to drop a line [or two...or three] in the comments section thanking Jupp for everything he’s done for Bayern; favorite memories, favorite quotes, etc. are encouraged!