Jupp Heynckes has confirmed he will leave his post as Bayer Leverkusen coach when his contract expires at the end of the season. His place will be taken by current Freiburg boss Robin Dutt, who has been given a two-year contract starting from 1 July.
Heynckes has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and is regarded as the number one candidate to succeed Louis van Gaal, who will leave the club in the summer.
"Mr Heynckes has informed us he will not be available for another year in charge," said Leverkusen's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on his club's website. "We are delighted Robin Dutt will start work with Leverkusen on 1 July after some very cordial negotiations with the Freiburg management."
The announcement comes after a week in which Wolfsburg, Schalke and Hamburg all changed coaches, and shortly after Van Gaal's departure from Bayern was confirmed.
Before Heynckes leaves however, there are still seven games of the current season to be played, and a lot at stake. Leverkusen are currently second in the table, seven points behind faltering league leaders Borussia Dortmund and the same distance ahead of fourth-placed Bayern.
This success made Heynckes "consider the idea of adding on a third year, as the club wished, for a long time", according to Holzhauser, who added that Heynckes had "always emphasised he would work two years with Bayer before stepping back".
And the 65-year-old coach admitted it had not been an easy choice to make. "It was a very tough decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen," said Heynckes. "They are a very well led club with a fantastic team. I will put all of my efforts into cementing second place in the Bundesliga and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season."
That may, however, be detrimental to his personal future, should he take over at Bayern next season. If Leverkusen qualify for the Champions League, Bayern could miss out. Dutt could therefore be the major winner as he inherits a side which is likely to be playing in Europe's elite club competition next year.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge in Leverkusen and working with a team which has been coached magnificently by Jupp Heynckes," said Dutt. "The philosophy of Bayer Leverkusen, which was explained to me by Wolfgang Holzhauser and (Bayer's director of sport) Rudi Voller, is exactly the same as my views of football."
He too will be looking to bring the season to a successful conclusion with Freiburg, whom he has led to eighth in the table and almost certain safety with seven games to go.
Heynckes has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and is regarded as the number one candidate to succeed Louis van Gaal, who will leave the club in the summer."Mr Heynckes has informed us he will not be available for another year in charge," said Leverkusen's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on his club's website. "We are delighted Robin Dutt will start work with Leverkusen on 1 July after some very cordial negotiations with the Freiburg management."
The announcement comes after a week in which Wolfsburg, Schalke and Hamburg all changed coaches, and shortly after Van Gaal's departure from Bayern was confirmed.
Before Heynckes leaves however, there are still seven games of the current season to be played, and a lot at stake. Leverkusen are currently second in the table, seven points behind faltering league leaders Borussia Dortmund and the same distance ahead of fourth-placed Bayern.
It was a very tough decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen. They are a very well led club with a fantastic team.
Jupp Heynckes, Bayer Leverksuen coach
And the 65-year-old coach admitted it had not been an easy choice to make. "It was a very tough decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen," said Heynckes. "They are a very well led club with a fantastic team. I will put all of my efforts into cementing second place in the Bundesliga and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season."
That may, however, be detrimental to his personal future, should he take over at Bayern next season. If Leverkusen qualify for the Champions League, Bayern could miss out. Dutt could therefore be the major winner as he inherits a side which is likely to be playing in Europe's elite club competition next year.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge in Leverkusen and working with a team which has been coached magnificently by Jupp Heynckes," said Dutt. "The philosophy of Bayer Leverkusen, which was explained to me by Wolfgang Holzhauser and (Bayer's director of sport) Rudi Voller, is exactly the same as my views of football."
He too will be looking to bring the season to a successful conclusion with Freiburg, whom he has led to eighth in the table and almost certain safety with seven games to go.
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