Daily Schmankerl: Heynckes turns 73; Goretzka talks Bayern; Matthäus talks Heynckes; injury updates for Gnabry and Coman—and MORE!

Jupp Heynckes turned 73 today and the team sang to him (@BILD_Bayern)

The erstwhile genius is inching his way toward retirement, but the squad took time today for a mini-celebration.

Birthday serenade before training for Jupp #Heynckes on his 73rd birthday! @FCB #FCBayern

Leon Goretzka expected the backlash at Schalke 04, but is excited for his upcoming move (SportBild)

The clock is ticking toward midfield extraordinaire Leon Goretzka joining Bayern Munich and the 24-year old talked openly about the initial announcement how he wanted to avoid disrupting the team.

When it was announced, the most important thing to me was that the general mood at Schalke didn’t tank and the team suffer from the chaos after our good first half. I did everything I could to prevent that by continuing to do my best for Schalke every minute. The fans helped a great deal; they have shown great sensitivity and directed their criticism regarding the decision only at me. I can only express my respect for the fans for doing so.

Despite his signing with Bayern, Goretzka was a little worried about the coaching situation with Heynckes adamantly stating he would retire after the season during the period where Goretzka signed.

What was initially a problem—I can say it openly now—was the fact that Bayern did not have a coach lined up at the time for the new season. And for me, your conversation with the coach is actually the most important thing. That was a point that bothered me. But it was inevitable. In the end, Bayern named a clear coaching figure. I could identify with him. It moreover is obvious that, if you go to Bayern, your chances of winning titles increases.

Lothar Matthäus talks 1860 Munich and Jupp Heynckes (Sport1)

Bayern’s unofficial goodwill ambassador took a break from International Champions Cup promotion to talk over his desire to coach for 1860 Munich in the past:

Ten years ago, I would have ridden by bike to 1860 Munich at Grünwalder Straße in order to be able to work there. I would have seen potential there at the time; that would have been a task.

Matthäus also said he considered Hamburger SV as a destination to coach at one point:

A club with tradition—I would have done that. But not any more. I don’t need it.

The call from the Bundesliga never came, however, and Matthäus ended up coaching in Austria, Serbia, Brazil, Hungary and Bulgaria.

In addition, Matthäus described how Heynckes did everything—even offering to take a pay cut—to retain him at Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1984:

He probably told manager Helmut Grashoff, “Give him this or that much more and deduct it from my salary.”

Jupp being Jupp.

Serge Gnabry is in Munich for medical treatment (SportBild)

Out of the lineup for Hoffenheim due to injury, Gnabry is in Munich to receive medial treatment.

Serge Gnabry, 22, can still move almost undetected through the streets of Munich. The new addition to Bayern was in his new home several times this and last week. The background: after his muscle bundle tear, Bayern doctor Müller-Wohlfahrt is taking care of Gnabry. Both know each other already from the DFB. So that there are no changes during the recovery process, Gnabry can now be treated by the Bayern team doctor and not by the medical department of Hoffenheim. This has been agreed by both clubs.

Paul Breitner blasts Robert Lewandowski and predicts Neymar will move to Real Madrid (Sport 1 )

Former Bayern Munich man and German international Paul Breitner is down on Lewandowski and is forecasting that Neymar will join Real Madrid this summer. Breitner argues that Lewandowski has a “massive problem with his opinion of himself”:

A striker who thinks he’s on the same level with Ronaldo has to show it when it matters.

Breitner argues that Lewandowski’s egoism will eventually cost him his teammates’ support:

It will be increasingly difficult for him to find support in the team. The team will ask itself whether that’s the kind of guy they want to keep around.

Interestingly, Breitner, who spent three years with Real Madrid after leaving Bayern, also gave an idea of a major star, who could end up in Madrid - and it’s not Lewy per Football Espana.

Neymar will be very important next year at Real Madrid.

It was been rumored over the past three months that the Brazilian is already looking for an exit strategy from Paris. Breitner’s remarks are consistent with the new that has been appearing in the French media about the Brazilian, who is understood to be target of Madrid President Florentino Perez, who wanted to bring him to Madrid before he eventually signed with Barcelona in summer 2013.

More video of Kingsley Coman training (Bild)

We are all waiting for Coman’s return.

Matthijs De Ligt definitely wants out of Ajax (@HLNinEngeland)

Long rumored to be a target of Bayern, De Ligt is on the radar of several other juggernauts including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and FC Barcelona.

Bayern’s training kit has been released (Footy Headlines)