Jupp Heynckes new Bayern Munich coach

Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsman has been fired after the latest in a string of poor results.

The club have replaced Klinsi with veteran Jupp Heynckes, who will take charge for the final five games of the season.



Bayern officials met with Klinsmann in Munich shortly before 10am this morning to tell him his services were no longer required - even though his contract runs until 2010.

The 1-0 home defeat to Schalke on Saturday proved to be the last straw in what has been a disappointing season for the Bavarian giants.

Heynckes now has the difficult task of salvaging something for Bayern. He was at the Allianz Arena on Saturday for the game against Schalke and saw for himself the problems facing the club.

The new coach - who led the Bavarians to two championships from 1987 to 1991 - is a close friend of general manager Uli Hoeness (57) and also knows reserve coach Hermann Gerland (54), so he is familiar with how the side works.

It is understood the arrangement will end on the final day of this season - even if Bayern add to their record number of titles, Heynckes will not take over on a long term basis

According to reports, Hoeness, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and chief executive Karl Hopfner knew that Heynckes was the right man for the job.

They waited until today to make the break with Jürgen Klinsman so that they could tell him confidentially and on good terms.

Klinnsman only lasted 11 months and saw his team dumped out of the German Cup with a 4-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen and suffered a humiliating 4-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter final first leg.

Bayern bosses eventually stepped in after the team slipped to third in the Bundesliga.

They were worried that the team would not even qualify for the Champions League next season – Klinsman had to go. Heynckes will be appointed officially today.