Heynckes set for coaching break after Bayern

Jupp Heynckes seemed to enjoy keeping journalists on tenterhooks at his farewell FC Bayern München press conference.

For half an hour the 68-year-old, leaving Bayern after leading them to an unprecedented treble of UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup victories this term, reflected on an immensely successful career in a packed media room at the Fußball Arena München. At no point did he say anything of his future plans.

As disquiet grew among reporters, who knew that Real Madrid CF – a potential employer of Heynckes – had a media conference at 13.00, Heynckes drew in his breath, looked around the room and said: "I can promise you that last summer after the Champions League final defeat, my wife and I agreed that I would see out my contract with Bayern but stop after that.

"I didn't have any holiday ahead of this season and have realised in the last few weeks that I have reached a certain age and that recovery takes a little longer. I felt like I had hit my limit, even if it doesn't appear that way.

"Other clubs have shown an interest in me – rich clubs, clubs where money didn't play a role, clubs with great holiday opportunities; and there was a club who had the same aura as FC Bayern, with a similar international presence but without the expected success. After a season like this one, though, it was difficult to imagine taking up a job elsewhere."

If anyone was hoping to hear a final definitive word on his future, they were left disappointed, though Heynckes did keep a small door open for a return to football: "I won't commit to anything for the start of the new season in Germany or abroad. I will take a step back, try to recuperate and maybe then have the joy of looking back at what my team have accomplished in the past few weeks ..."

When asked what he is looking forward to most, a visibly relaxed Heynckes said: "We're all in desperate need of a holiday. I'm looking forward to the normal things in life: my hobbies, my family, my wife, just going to the cinema, a restaurant or a concert."

However, Heynckes wouldn't be Heynckes without returning to the topic of football: "I'm confident FC Bayern will have the same success under Pep Guardiola as they did under me. There has never been a team with the solidarity that this one has. I leave behind a world-class team, maybe the best team in the world, and I'm proud of that."