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║║ Bundesliga Season 2012-13 ║║

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Bayern can beat anyone, warns Neuer after DFL-Supercup victory
The Bavarian powerhouse are brimming with confidence following their win over Borussia Dortmund in the German curtain raiser on Sunday, led by their goalkeeper


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Manchester City make Arnesen approach
The Premier League champions have targeted the Hamburg sporting director, who previously worked with Chelsea, as they look to shake up their recruitment operation


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Neuer withdraws from Germany squad for Argentina friendly
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper is unavailable for Wednesday's encounter due to injury, and has been replaced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen


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Dortmund win a psychological boost for Bayern, says Heynckes
The experienced coach has voiced his delight with his side's Supercup victory, and feels starting the season on a high will be quite a boost for last year's Bundesliga runners-up


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Klopp left to rue missed chances in Supercup loss
Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich, but had created several chances in a frantic second half, but could not snatch an equaliser, to their coach's displeasure


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Robben targets more trophies after Supercup win
Bayern Munich broke their losing spell against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, but the Dutchman is eager to add to his medal haul this season


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Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Muller earns Supercup spoils
The Germany international's first-half strike proved the difference, and despite a comeback from the Bundesliga champions, Jupp Heynckes' men did enough for victory


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Referee Fischer surprised by Luisao incident
The official was left knocked out after a coming together with the Benfica defender, and is facing calls for a lengthy ban for his part


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Reus & Klopp scoop German writers' awards
The 23-year-old saw off competition from Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski to secure the accolade, with the trainer's part in Dortmund's title win also being recognised


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Low's treatment of Wiese is disastrous, fumes Babbel
The former defender was not impressed with the national team coach's behaviour following the shot stopper's exclusion from the squad for the friendly against Argentina


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It is time to beat Dortmund, say Schalke duo Holtby and Draxler
The German under-21 internationals are hoping to fire the Gelsenkirchen club to glory over the coming campaign, despite the departure of veteran striker Raul over the summer


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Dortmund's Watzke reveals positive relationship with Hoeness
The Dortmund chief says that he and the Bayern president share a huge mutual respect, and believes that Schalke and Leverkusen could launch title challenges this season


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I am ready for the Bundesliga, says Shaqiri
The Swiss youngster secured a summer transfer to the Bavarian club, and although he feels that Germany is different to his homeland, he is looking forward to the challenge ahead


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Werder Bremen supporters protest over potential chicken sponsors
The Bundesliga club have come up against unexpected opposition ahead of the new season, with supporters campaigning in numbers against the possible deal with Wiesenhof


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Diego impresses Magath with his fitness during Wolfsburg training
The stern 59-year-old coach had previously expressed concerns over the Brazilian's physical shape and was thus delighted by the midfielder's energy in training


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Mandzukic ready to replace injured Gomez
The Croatia international is likely to get plenty of playing time in the opening weeks of the 2012-13 campaign following his striking rival's ankle surgery


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Gomez: I'm delighted surgery went well
The Germany international went under the knife earlier this week, and is determined to return to full match fitness as soon as possible


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Schalke can win the Bundesliga, says Farfan
The Peruvian winger says he signed a new contract with the club to help them claim more trophies, and has urged his attacking colleagues to pull together to replace Raul


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Gotze targets comeback in Dortmund's Bundesliga opener
The Germany international midfielder is making a swift recovery from an eye infection and is set to train in the next few days


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Bayern must work harder in defence, insists Heynckes
The Bavarians' head coach has admitted that they are not ready for the new season just yet, highlighting their back-line as an area in need of improvement


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Wiese: I want Hoffenheim to finish above Werder Bremen
The 30-year-old has spoken about the decisions behind his move following his first training session at his new club and stressed that he aims to finish above the team he left
 

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BENDER TO MISS SEASON OPENER


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Sven Bender (m.) was no stranger to injury during Dortmund's double-winning season


Dortmund - Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender will miss the start of the 2012/13 Bundesliga campaign after it was announced he would undergo a hernia operation on Monday.

Bender's need to go under the knife has left the reigning Bundesliga champions short of options in midfield ahead of Sunday's Supercup tie with FC Bayern Munich. The procedure, which will target both groin muscles, is likely to keep the 23-year-old out of action for up to four weeks according to BVB club doctor Markus Braun.

Out of Argentina match

The injury has also denied the former 1860 Munich player a chance to win his third cap for Germany. The dynamic midfielder had been included in Joachim Löw's 19-man squad to face Argentina in Frankfurt on 15 August, but once again it will be left to twin brother Lars to fly the Bender flag in the national team.
 

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Beckenbauer: Javi Martinez? Never heard of him
The Germany legend has surprisingly stated that he does not know of the Spain international, but is confident he will do well at Bayern


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Hoeness: Hats off to Athletic Bilbao for standing firm in Javi Martinez talks
The Basque side had refused to let the midfielder leave for anything under €40 million, and earned the respect of the Bayern Munich chief in so doing


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Sammer: Heynckes is doing a really good job
The former Germany international has nothing but praise for the Bayern trainer, and added that the two have an excellent relationship


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We wanted to sell Kjaer - Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath
The German coach has lamented his club's inability to off-load their Danish defender who has returned to the Bundesliga outfit after a season on loan at Roma


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Uli Hoeness: Bayern Munich green light Javi Martinez transfer
The Bavarian giants have been approved by their board to begin negotiations with Athletic Bilbao to sign the 23-year-old midfielder, who is expected to cost around €40 million


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Hummels sustains neck injury
The centre-back could be out of action for a number of days due to a knock he picked up in the Nationalelf's friendly reverse to Alejandro Sabella's side on Wednesday


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Martinez set for record-breaking move to Bayern Munich
The Athletic Bilbao midfielder has long been linked with a move away from San Mames, and will become the most expensive signing in the history of the Bundesliga.


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Staudt accuses Hoeness of 'throwing the hammer' at Mario Gomez
The former Stuttgart chief has blasted the Bayern Munich president, following comments made at his former charge, insisting there were better ways to motivate the striker


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Vogts: Germany were the best team at Euro 2012
The Euro '96-winning, former coach has defended the exploits of the current national manager, as well as predicting an exciting Bundesliga race this season


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Dortmund will make life difficult for Bayern, says Hitzfeld
The Switzerland boss has warned last year's runners-up that another tough season awaits as the reigning champions have a strong squad once again


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Ribery & Benzema to stand trial over underage prostitute allegations
The French footballers could be formally charged with paying for sex with Zahia Dehar, an investigating magistrate has confirmed this week
 

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Robben: Bayern are ready for new Bundesliga season
The former Real Madrid star is brimming with confidence in the wake of the Bavarians' DFB-Pokal win as they prepare for this weekend's league opener


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Magath launches attack on Germany boss Low
The Wolfsburg trainer is unhappy at the recent omission of Bastian Schweinsteiger from the Mannschaft squad to play Argentina, and criticised the team's work ethic


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Bayern coach Heynckes: We've put last season behind us once and for all
The experienced trainer has made it clear they're no longer thinking about last term, and he's eagerly anticipating the DFB-Pokal match against Regensburg


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Martinez would be under 'immense pressure,' says Hitzfeld as Bayern move draws closer
The former manager of the Bavarian club has suggested the weight of expectation that comes with a record transfer fee makes 23-year-old's potential transfer a considerable risk


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Hummels: I will be fit in time for Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen
The 23-year-old was hurt in the international friendly defeat against Argentina, but insists he will be ready for the curtain-raiser


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Usami criticises his Hoffenheim team-mates after shock Pokal exit
In his first club appearance since the Olympics, the 20-year-old was unable to reverse his club's fortunes as they fell to a fourth-division club in the Pokal's opening round


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Del Bosque confident Bayern Munich will have 'plenty of fun' with Martinez
The Basque star appears set to complete a move to Die Roten, prompting his national team boss to predict a bright future for him


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Klopp open to implementing 'time-out' rule in football
The former Mainz boss believes that the short pauses used in other sports could be beneficial as they will add exciting strategic elements to the game


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Joachim Low to call a crisis meeting over poor Germany form - report
Die Mannschaft have been on the receiving end of consecutive losses, and their trainer is rumoured to be planning an assembly to discuss the problems of the team


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Ajax make Rajkovic inquiry
The Serbia international could be on his way back to the Dutch top flight as the Amsterdam giants have shown an interest in signing him


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Dante wants DFB Pokal final - Rafinha on the road to recovery
The new Bayern Munich signing warns of the underdogs ahead of SSV Jahn Regensburg clash, while Rafinha looks set to return to first team action after injury


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Atsuto Uchida signs contract extension with Schalke
The Japanese right-back signs a new deal which will keep him at the Gelsenkirchen club until 2015


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Lazio interested in Hannover 96 striker Mohammed Abdellaoue
Vladimir Petkovic believes that the Norwegian striker is the perfect player to bolster his attack ahead of the new Serie A campaign
 

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Bundesliga | 17.08.2012 16:08:27


WOLFSBURG'S TRIP TO STUTTGART RESCHEDULED

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Celebrating it's 50th anniversary, the 2012/13 Bundesliga season kicks-off on 24 August


Frankfurt - The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga have rescheduled VfL Wolfsburg's trip to face VfB Stuttgart on the opening weekend of the 2012/13 Bundesliga season.

After lengthy discussions with Wolfsburg and the participating media partners, the fixture will now take place on Saturday 25 August at 20:45 CEST, providing Stuttgart with an extra day to prepare for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off with Dynamo Moscow.

Bender: "An exceptional situation"


Stuttgart's first home match of the new campaign was due to take place on Sunday 26 August at 15:30 CEST. However, VfB applied for an alteration to be made to the schedule to accommodate their encounter with the Russian side, set to take place in Moscow the following Tuesday. The resulting agreement between the two clubs, as well as the affected media partners Sky, LIGA total, ARD and ZDF, means only one top match will be played on Sunday of Matchday 1.

"Competing for a place in the UEFA Europa League during the second leg of a play-off is an exceptional situation and doesn't just hold a greater importance for VfB Stuttgart, but also for the international competitiveness of the Bundesliga," said DFL administrator Götz Bender. "Therefore, we'd like to thank VfL Wolfsburg and our media partners for forgoing their output."
 

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Thomas Muller is the advertising king of the German national team

A recent study has revealed that the 22-year-old earns more than any of his international colleagues, taking home a whopping €24.9m in endorsement deals


Aug 19, 2012 7:50:00 PM

By Tom Webber


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Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller receives the greatest amount of revenue from endorsements of any player in the German national team.

According to a recent study by Batten & Company, the Golden Boot winner of the 2010 World Cup earned €24.9m in advertising over the past 12 months.

Muller has appeared in commericials for energy company Rewe, but is perhaps most well-known for his starring role alongside Gerd Muller, for a yoghurt that also holds the same name.

It represents a 30 % increase from the 22-year-old's figure from last year and puts him ahead of both Manuel Neuer (€23.2m) and Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil, who takes home €22.8m.

The study also reveals the attraction of companies to invest their funds in Die Mannschaft's younger generation. Borussia Dortmund duo Mario Gotze and Marco Reus have both seen their respective incomes from advertising increase by over 200% in the past year.

However, more established members of the national team have not been as fortunate with Bayern pair Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philip Lahm falling in the rankings.
 

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Huntelaar: I can score 29 goals again
The Netherlands international is hopeful of replicating last year's performances, while general manager Horst Heldt has set his sights on winning a trophy this term


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Heynckes hints at Bayern exit
The veteran coach has admitted that he could end his third stint in charge of the Bavarians at the end of this season, when his existing deal expires


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Klopp demands improvement after narrow Bremen win
The former Mainz coach believes his Borussia Dortmund side were slightly lucky to scrape a win against Werder Bremen, and feels his side's sluggish performance was fitness-related


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Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Werder Bremen: Supersub Gotze strikes late winner
The Germany playmaker proved to be an inspired change, netting the crucial goal as Jurgen Klopp's side picked up three points on the first night of the Bundesliga season


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Lahm looks ahead to 'vital' Bundesliga opener against Greuther Furth
The full-back is hoping that the Bavarians follow up their DFL-Supercup success over Borussia Dortmund with victory over the new boys on Saturday


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Bayern out to deny Dortmund from Bundesliga 50 landmark
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bavarians' CEO, acknowledges the pitfalls that face his side in the coming season, but claims his side's primary objective is to win the league


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Neuer: No more excuses for Bayern Munich
The Germany international feels the Bavarians have to step up to the plate right from the start, and is eagerly anticipating their first game against Greuther Furth on Saturday


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Rummenigge: I still don't understand how Bayern Munich lost the Champions League final
The Roten director analysed the game once more during the summer break, but was unable to find out what went wrong for the German giants at the Allianz Arena in May


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Celtic look to sign Japan's Yuki Otsu on one-year loan - report
The Borussia MG attacker saw his stock rise after scoring three goals in the Olympics and could find himself following in the footsteps of former Japan captain Shunsuke Nakamura


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Bayern hungry for titles, warns Lahm
The captain of the Bavarian giants is determined to capture silverware in the upcoming campaign and believes that his club has the squad to do so


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'Dortmund are able to win but Bayern are obliged to' - Kahn
The former Germany No.1 insists the Bavarians have greater expectations than their North Rhine-Westphalia counterparts, and shares his thoughts on Schweinsteiger and Gomez


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Javi Martinez is not worth €40 million, says Effenberg
The retired Bayern star has not been impressed by the Euro 2012 winner, and has questioned his massive price-tag


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Muller: Bundesliga will be two-horse race between Bayern and Dortmund
The Germany international sees the reigning champions as his club's biggest rivals in the title race once more, and is eagerly anticipating this weekend's league opener


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Holtby looking forward to post-Raul era at Schalke
The Germany Under-21 captain has spoken about his excitement ahead of the coming season, and is ready to step into the Spaniard's shoes if called upon


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Bayern is not a kindergarten and Gomez has to fight for his place, says Beckenbauer
The retired sweeper has warned the attacker that he will not be pampered and will have to put in a lot of effort to regain his starting position at the Bavarians


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Bayern renew Deutsche Telekom sponsorship deal
The Bundesliga giants have confirmed that the German telecommunications company will continue to assist the club off the field for the next five years


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Leverkusen insist Schurrle is not for sale
The Germany international has attracted the interest of Chelsea with his eye-catching performances of late, but his club side are determined to hold onto him


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Sammer: Javi Martinez transfer nowhere near being completed
The Bayern Munich director has confirmed that his side's move for the Spain international has stalled as they await a reply from Athletic Bilbao


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Badstuber targets Bundesliga glory
The Bayern Munich centre-back has endured two seasons without a major trophy, but is eager to wrestle the German national crown away from Borussia Dortmund


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Bayern still want Javi Martinez, says Rummenigge
The Bavarian club's CEO has not given up hope of signing the in-demand Spaniard from Athletic Bilbao, but believes the deal is being deliberately stifled by the Basque side


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Borussia Monchengladbach want to reach the Champions League group stages, says Favre
The Bundesliga representatives are desperate to be involved when the draw is made for the tournament proper in Monaco on August 30

 

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Bundesliga preview: Bayern visit Fuerth

24 August 2012

Bayern Munich begin their season with a trip to newly-promoted Greuther Fuerth.

The Champions League finalists, who finished eight points adrift of Dortmund in second place, trumped Dortmund in the 2012 SuperCup and are full of confidence heading into their clash at Trolli ARENA.

Despite leading marksman Mario Gomez (ankle injury) facing a stint on the sidelines, the arrivals of Mario Mandzukic (Wolfsburg) and Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen) should help deal with the loss.

Fuerth topped the 2.Bundesliga table last season and will play in Germany's leading division for the first time in their history but face an uphill task against the nation's most successful club.

In other first-round fixtures, Fortuna Dusseldorf, who were promoted to the Bundesliga via a controversial relegation/promotion playoff, tackle Augsburg, while the surprise packets of 2011/12, Gladbach, play host to Hoffenheim.

German international goalkeeper Rene Adler will make his debut for Hamburg against Nuremberg and Freiburg entertain Mainz.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart welcome Felix Magath's Wolfsburg to the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Sunday, Sami Hyypia's Bayer Leverkusen do battle against Eintracht Frankfurt and Schalke face Hannover in the round's remaining match, as they bid to replicate their third-placed effort this season.
 

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Bayern renew Deutsche Telekom sponsorship deal


The Bundesliga giants have confirmed that the German telecommunications company will continue to assist the club off the field for the next five years

Aug 24, 2012 11:45:00 AM

By Stefan Coerts


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Bayern Munich have announced that they have renewed their partnership with main sponsor Deutsche Telekom for an additional four years until the summer of 2017.

The previous deal between both parties was due to expire in 2013, but the Bavarian giants and the telecommunications firm have opted to extend their successful 10-year collaboration.

"We are delighted our long partnership with Deutsche Telekom will continue. Telekom is a very important, reliable and innovative partner, supporting us with its telecommunications expertise," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented on the deal.

"Thanks to the help provided by Telekom, Bayern are based on sound and solid financial foundations."

Telekom will acquire additional advertising rights and services, which include social media and the new FCB News product under the terms of the new deal.
 

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Heynckes hints at Bayern exit

The veteran coach has admitted that he could end his third stint in charge of the Bavarians at the end of this season, when his existing deal expires

Aug 24, 2012 10:25:00 PM

By Enis Koylu

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Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has hinted that he could leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 67-year-old took over the reins at the Allianz Arena in 2011 after Louis van Gaal's exit, and led the club to a Champions League final in May, only to see his side lose to Chelsea.

However, he has now admitted that his age means that he will most likely leave the club in 2013, with the board set to look for a younger option.

"Let's be honest, I have a two-year contract which ends on June 30 2012," he explained toSuddeutsche Zeitung. "And then another stage of life comes to an end. I am no longer 37 years old.

"Ultimately, it's also whether they want a young or an old coach here. At Bayern one thing is important: success."

Several names have been linked with the job, and it was revealed in June that the Bavarians had already made an approach for former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

Lucien Favre, who led Borussia Monchengladbach to a fourth-placed Bundesliga finish last season, has reportedly been a long-term target for the club, but signed a new contract with his current employers in July.

Meanwhile, Bayern legend Franz Beckenbauer has admitted that he expects his former side to make a move for 38-year-old coach Thomas Tuchel.

"I imagine that [president Uli] Hoeness would consider him," he commented to Sport1.

Heynckes, who has had two previous stints with Bayern has also coached the likes of Real Madrid, Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach.
 

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Bundesliga wrap: Bayern triumph in Bavarian derby

26 August 2012

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Bayern Munich got their Bundesliga campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Greuther Furth.
The Champions League runners-up went into half-time 1-0 up after Thomas Mueller scored in the 43rd minute.

Bayern added two more goals after the break with new signing Mario Mandzukic scoring his first Bundesliga goal on 59 minutes before an own goal by Thomas Kleine wrapped up the comfortable win.

Borussia Moenchengladbach also recorded an opening-day victory with a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim at Borussia-Park.

Juan Arango was the match-winner with the Venezuelan setting up Mike Hanke for the opening goal in the 33rd minute before getting the game winner on 79 minutes.

Fortuna Dusseldorf began life back in the Bundesliga with a promising 2-0 win away to Augsburg.

Two second-half goals from Dani Schahin proved the difference as Fortuna got their first win in the German top flight since 1997.

Eintracht Frankfurt came from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at home. Stefan Kiessling put Leverkusen ahead in the 30th minute before Frankfurt rallied in the second half with goals from Stefan Aigner and Martin Lanig sealing the comeback win.

Elsewhere, Hamburg lost at home to Nurnberg 1-0 while Freigburg and Mainz played out a 1-1 draw. Bas Dost scored the game's only goal in the 90th minute on his debut for Wolfsburg in their 1-0 win at Stuttgart.

Portuguese midfielder Vierinha created the chance for the 23-year-old Dutch striker, who joined from Heerenveen in the summer.
 

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Bundesliga: Hannover 2 Schalke 2

27 August 2012

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Bundesliga title hopefuls Schalke had a tough start to the new campaign on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Hannover 96.


Felipe put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time by capitalising on some shambolic marking from Huub Stevens' men and heading home a Christian Pander free kick, but Schalke, who finished third last term, recovered after the interval and soon turned the match on its head.


Lewis Holtby fed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and the Dutchman opened his account for the season seven minutes into the second half with a cool left-footed finish from the edge of the box after waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Holtby then notched one of his own as he headed home Jermaine Jones' cross.

It seemed that the Gelsenkirchen side had done enough to secure a narrow victory, but Adrian Nikci was introduced 13 minutes from time, and swept home a Jan Schlaudraff pass to snatch a point moments later.
 

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Dante: Joining Bayern was the right choice
The Brazilian defender is still very pleased with his move to the Allianz Arena this summer, and has taken the time to praise Holger Badstuber


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Arango: My free kicks are better than Ronaldo's
The Venezuelan international believes that his dead-ball ability surpasses that of the Real Madrid star, following his goal at the weekend


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Heldt confirms Zenit bid for Papadopoulos
The German side's general manager admits Russian interest in the young Greek defender, who has also attracted the attention of AC Milan during this summer's transfer window


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Favre demanding more from Monchengladbach and new signing Granit Xhaka
The Swiss manager admits his side have a long way to go before they hit top form, while revealing he hopes to see more from his new signing in the coming months


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Reus & Gotze are the future of German football, says Gunter Netzer
The Borussia Dortmund duo were on target as Jurgen Klopp's side beat Werder Bremen 2-1, and the former Gladbach star believes that they will lead their country for years to come


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Martinez hoping for swift conclusion to Bayern saga
The Athletic Bilbao midfielder has been widely linked with a move to the Allianz Arena this summer, but the two clubs seem to have hit an impasse in negotiations


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Heynckes delighted with 'confident' Bayern after win over Greuther Furth
The Bavarians' boss was ecstatic with the ease in which they beat their city rivals, as Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic put the Bundesliga new boys to the sword


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Javi Martinez's parents urge Athletic Bilbao to agree Bayern sale
The mum and dad of the versatile midfielder have implored his club to lower their demands and sanction the Spain international's transfer to the Allianz Arena


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Reus: Borussia Dortmund still have work to do
The versatile attacker was very satisfied with his goal against Thomas Schaaf's side, but feels BVB are by no means in top form just yet
 

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I was frozen out at Juventus, claims Elia
The tricky attacker has accused Antonio Conte of refusing to speak to him during his season and Turin, and revealed that he was forced to give up his end-of-season bonus


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Hamburg complete signing of Jiracek from Wolfsburg
The Czech Republic international has signed a four-year deal at the Imtech Arena and he hopes to have a greater role in the first team than at his previous club


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Bayern set to complete €40m Javi Martinez deal
After a saga spanning a number of months the midfielder is close to completing a move to the Bundesliga side where he will sign a five-year contract


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Hanke: Gladbach will take time to recover from Dante and Reus losses
The striker revealed that the departures of the Brazilian centre-back and Germany international had hurt the team and that it may take time to recover from their absence


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Lattek questions Sammer's role at Bayern
Following Oliver Kahn's concerns about the director's relationship with Jupp Heynckes, the title-winning trainer has expressed his worry too


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Shaqiri: I don't mind warming the bench for Bayern
The young attacking midfielder has made it clear that the team's interest takes precedence over his own ambition for the time being


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Kahn criticises Bayern appointment of Sammer
The former goalkeeper feels the director's constant meddling in die Roten's team affairs could lead to the club's downfall as the season wears thin

 

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Kahn criticises Bayern appointment of Sammer

The former goalkeeper feels the director's constant meddling in die Roten's team affairs could lead to the club's downfall as the season wears thin

Aug 27, 2012 8:10:00 PM

By SW Lim


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Oliver Kahn has lashed out at Matthias Sammer's handling of Bayern Munich, claiming the official's involvement in day-to-day club activities border on intrusive.

The retired Germany goalkeeper feels his former international team-mate, who was named the new technical director of the Bavarian giants in July, has to take a necessary step backwards in order to avoid interference with coach Jupp Heynckes.

"With Sammer constantly being at team training sessions as well as his very public comments on Bayern Munich's game plans, he appears to be like a second coach," lambasted the 43-year-old in his personal Bild column.

"Meddling in the coach's department poses potential conflicts at organisational level that will quickly lead to failure on the field.

"Club operations only work successfully if task distribution is clearly defined and respected by all parties."

Despite this perceived conflict of interests at management level, Bayern have embarked on a strong start to the season, ousting traditional rivals Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup before sweeping to a 3-0 Bundesliga opening-day victory over Greuther Furth.
 

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Lattek questions Sammer's role at Bayern


Following Oliver Kahn's concerns about the director's relationship with Jupp Heynckes, the title-winning trainer has expressed his worry too

Aug 28, 2012 5:15:00 PM

By Livio Caferoglu

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Udo Lattek has claimed that the matchday presence of new Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer should be closely monitored.

The former sweeper replaced Christian Nerlinger earlier in the summer, having relinquished his role as technical director of the German Football Association (DFB) to work alongside head coach Jupp Heynckes in addressing first-team affairs.

However, his role during fixtures has come under scruntiny, despite the side's winning start to the new season, with Oliver Kahn raising doubts over Sammer's job description, and the legendary boss believes his relationship with Heynckes could prove volatile.

"There should not be any fidgeting in the dugout," Lattek told Bild. "I like Matthias Sammer very much, but I do not know if that's really important.

"In any case, the coach has to be recognised by the entire team. If he does not, then it will be difficult, so you have to be very careful.

"I don't know what agreement the two share with each other, but it is very, very critical [to the club's chances of success]."

Lattek and Sammer temporarily worked together at Borussia Dortmund in 2000, following Bernd Krauss' unsuccessful reign at the Signal Iduna Park, and he reflected on their working relationship.

"For us, it was very simple. I was the boss and he was the one who listened," he added.

"I've always said that this co-existence between Jupp Heynckes and Matthias Sammer is very hairy. Sammer is a very independent person, and Heynckes is too.

"If these two fall into problems, of whatever kind, then it will not be easy to control."
 

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Martinez & Llorente buy-out clauses must be met, says Athletic Bilbao president


The chief of the Basque outfit has reiterated that they will not compromise on any bids for the sought-after duo and meeting release fee is any suitor's only option

Aug 29, 2012 7:30:00 AM

By Tom Webber

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Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has insisted that his club will only allow star pair Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente to leave should their respective buy-out clauses be met.

The duo have been the subject of heated speculation over a move away from San Mames with Bayern Munich linked to the €40 million-rated midfielder, while the striker, who would cost €35m, has refused to sign a new contract.

However, the 44-year-old has reaffirmed his stance that the players will only be allowed to leave should a bid trigger the release clause in their current contracts.

"We have always said that a player can only leave the club on two conditions - either the club no longer wants the player or another club pays their buy-out clause, and neither of those conditions have been met," Urrutia told Canal Plus.

"We have done everything in our hands. They [Llorente and Martinez] are still Athletic players and we hope that they will remain with us.

"We have not held negotiations for Llorente. We have said what we think and the rumours are of no interest to us."

The pair were left out of the Leones squad that will travel to Helsinki for a Europa League qualifier this week but Urrutia was adamant that this does not mean they are on their way out of the club.

“We are a team and everyone is available to the coach. We never take every player to a game, we always leave one or two out.

"He [Bielsa] has chosen the players he thinks he needs and now in Thursday's match we are going to try to make amends for the errors we made on Sunday [a 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid]."

Despite suffering two losses from their first two league games the Basques hold a 6-0 advantage over HJK ahead of Thursday's second leg.
 
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