Report: Bayern lures Heynckes out of retirement to replace Ancelotti

Bayern Munich has sensationally convinced former treble-winning manager Jupp Heynckes to end his retirement and return to the bench until the end of the season, BILD's Matthias Brugelmann, Alfred Draxler, Tobias Altschaffl, and Christian Falk report.

Thomas Tuchel had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti, but Bayern apparently opted to hire someone with previous experience at the club.

Heynckes, 72, last coached Bayern in 2013, when he guided the Bavarian giant to wins in the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal. He then made way for Pep Guardiola, who couldn't replicate his predecessor's success over the following three seasons.

When he retired, Heynckes said he had "no intention of coaching again," describing his final campaign with Bayern as a "worthy ending."

He handled the reins there on three other occasions, winning Bundesliga titles as Bayern boss in 1989 and 1990 before serving as a caretaker manager in 2009. Heynckes enjoyed his most fruitful spell between 2011 and 2013.

Ancelotti was fired last week after a calamitous 3-0 defeat to European rival Paris Saint-Germain. President Uli Hoeness said he wanted to hire someone by the end of the international break, and although former Dortmund gaffer Tuchel and Hoffenheim tactician Julian Nagglesman emerged as early favourites, the board chose a safer option.

Hiring Heynckes on a temporary basis would give Bayern the freedom to return for Nagglesman in the summer. The 30-year-old has been tipped for the job after guiding Hoffenheim to a first-ever Champions League appearance. He has a contract there until June 2021.