Jupp Heynckes' last official act as Bayern coach brought him to the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt – and that was not a coincidence. It goes without saying that the day on which he gave his last press conference was an emotional and long one. But Heynckes always liked to be at the club museum, so he went there one last time.
The treble he had won with the German record champions – he was the first German coach to achieve this feat – was already on display in the showcases when Heynckes came on this day in June 2013, attracting a great deal of media attention. But the outgoing coach took out every trophy and polished it. “I'll come once a week from now on to clean the trophies,” the then 68-year-old said, laughing into the cameras. It was only a joke – but Heynckes has truly earned his retirement, and now spends quality time on his estate in Schwalmtal in the Lower Rhine region.
The DFB Cup is his ‘favourite trophy’
The footballing icon did so much for FC Bayern in his six years as coach, from 1987 to 1989, from April to May 2009 and from 2011 to 2013, but his last season topped everything. The Munich media called him Triple Jupp after the legend won the historical treble with FC Bayern. That also crowned his personal career, even though he had already won so much: four championship titles and the UEFA Cup with Gladbach, and the World Cup and European championship with Germany as a player; and as a coach before 2013 the German championship twice, and the DFB Cup and Champions League.
“Everybody wanted this great man to have the perfect farewell,” said FC Bayern München AG chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. And so it came to pass. It was obvious that Heynckes, a regular guest at the Erlebniswelt at that time, was happy, at peace with himself and with what he had achieved. The first trophy Heynckes put back was the championship shield, an honour he already knew well from successful campaigns with FCB in 1989 and 1990. He took his time with the Champions League trophy: “I’ve won it with the best team there is at the moment.” However, he did not want to relinquish the DFB Cup trophy at all. He had won it just three days before, for the first time in his career of more than 30 years as a coach. “My favourite cup,” he said, raising the golden goblet into the air.
Trophies, suit, anecdotes
In the Treble Corner, which remains a part of the exhibition, visitors can marvel at not only the trophies he won, but also the original, beer-soaked suit he wore during the 2013 final. The “coaches and strategists” corner features a video with Heynckes giving insights into his training work. Jupp Heynckes is held in incredibly high esteems at the club, as shown by the large number of visitors always clustered in front of “his” exhibits. The FC Bayern Erlebniswelt team and everyone at FC Bayern wholeheartedly wish Jupp Heynckes a very happy 70th birthday!
