Post Heynckes Era
What a send-off for a Bayern legend both on the pitch and off it. Winning the treble is the greatest achievement for a Bayern manager, and it has only been completed once. This side was motivated all season long and had the talent to make it happen.
Everyone knew this was Heynckes’s last season, and the board had already found his replacement in former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola. Guardiola would have big shoes to fill, but his success at Barca gave him a lot of credibility going to Bavaria. But what if Heynckes wasn’t 67 years old and going into retirement? What if he stayed as Bayern’s manager?
For one thing, Bayern doesn’t change their tactical setup back to a more possession-based game like the team played under Louis van Gaal. While Bayern still wanted to dominate the game, they would do it without having 75 percent possession and play a lot more direct style of football.
Does Bayern win more than one Champions League if Heynckes had stayed? Along with the talented squad, Heynckes would have helped Die Roten to continue dominance in Germany and Europe.
A lot of the signings Bayern make post-Heynckes probably don’t happen. Thiago, Bayern’s best midfielder currently (Barca substitute in this match), doesn’t come with Pep, and neither does Mario Gotze. The big reason for Gotze coming to Bayern was the opportunity to work with Guardiola. He probably stays at Dortmund continues to develop alongside Marco Reus.
Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa probably don’t come to Bavaria, and Javi Martinez stays in a midfield role, where he continues to be a dominant force instead of switching to center back under Pep. Robert Lewandowski still arrives in Munich as Mario Gomez was on his way out even under Heynckes.
Honorable Mentions
- Barcelona has always looked lost on the pitch when Messi doesn’t play, and that was certainly the case for this match.
- Bayern’s defense was elite and completely shut down Barca’s attack. Especially Jerome Boateng. Van Buyten played a great game as his partner.
- Barca’s three midfielders were completely shut down by Bayern’s two. It can’t be stated enough how great Schweinsteiger and Martinez were in this match. Both had world-class performances.