‘We have no time to lose'

There have been a few changes since Jupp Heynckes last left the Bayern changing room to head for the training ground. One grass pitch has been converted, the junior team accommodation has been demolished and the academy upgraded. Nevertheless, it was like coming home for the 72-year-old, 1,588 days after his last departure. "It feels good," said the Bayern coach, now in his fourth stint at the club, "I'm looking forward to my new, old job."

With loud applause ringing out, Heynckes and his coaching team came onto the training ground at 15.45 CET to the enthusiasm of the spectators at the open session. The photographers then had the chance of a quick photo before it was down to work. In the hours before, new lines have been marked out on the pitches and the playing area divided up into different sections. The Bayern players warmed up on a neighbouring pitch before moving onto the main field. Arturo Vidal and David Alaba joined in with the other players. Vidal returned early from his international duty due to a ban and Alaba is currently training on his own. Bernat did some running work.

Hermann and Gerland are also back

Peter Herrmann also still remembers Säbener Straße. The new (old) FC Bayern assistant coach was on the coaching staff at the record champions between 2011 and 2013. After Jupp Heynckes retired, Herrman continued to be active in the game: After Schalke and Hamburg SV, the 65-year-old move to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2015 where he was caretaker coach before joining the coaching staff under Friedhelm Funkel – and very successfully too as Fortuna are currently top of the second division.

Hermann Gerland has only had to make a slight adjustment. The former sporting director of the FC Bayern Campus now has to travel to Säbener Straße instead of Ingolstädter Straße and he was also back on the pitch on Monday as if he'd never been away complete with baseball cap and stopwatch. The trio are ready. "We have no time to lose," said Heynckes. "We have to get straight back to working on the training ground every day and ensure we get quality in training." The mission has begun!