Last update 4 April, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
Jupp Heynckes, is one of The best German coaches in history. Born on 9 May 1945 en Mönchengladbach, Germany, It is one of the most emblematic figures in the history of European football.
His legacy covers both his stage and player, where he stood out as a lethal striker, Like your career as a coach, in which he reached the top of success with clubs such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Heynckes is not only remembered for his titles, but also for his humility, its tactical intelligence and its ability to adapt to different football contexts over several decades. A) Yes, left a mark on other teams such as Athletic Bilbao and the CD Tenerife among others.
Juup Heynckes as a footballer
as a footballer, Heynckes began his professional career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, The club of his hometown, in 1963. Quickly became a key piece of the team, that in the years 70 He lived one of his most glorious times.
With Borussia, Heynckes won four Bundesliga titles (1970-71, 1974-75, 1975-76 y 1976-77), A Cup of Germany (1973) and the UEFA Cup in 1975, winning twentte in the final. His scoring smell led him to score 220 goals in the Bundesliga, What places it as the fourth maximum historical scorer of the competition, Only behind legends like Gerd Müller, Klaus Fischer y Robert Lewandowski.
In 1977, Heynckes lived one of the most bittersweet moments of his career as a player: The European Cup final against Liverpool. Despite its great season, Borussia lost 3-1, And that game marked the beginning of the decline of his stage as a footballer.
After a brief passage through the Hanover 96, He was removed in 1978 With an enviable palmraés and a reputation as one of the most complete strikers of its generation. With the selection of Western Germany, participated in the conquest of the Eurocup 1972 and the World Cup 1974, Although his role was secondary due to the presence of the legendary Gerd Müller.
The Heynckes Coach that reached the top of success
After hanging up the boots, Heynckes soon made the jump to the benches. In 1979 assumed as coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Starting a career that would lead him to become one of the most successful technicians in history.
His first great stage at Bayern Munich arrived between 1987 y 1991, where he won two consecutive bundesligas (1988-89 y 1989-90) and reached the semifinals of the European Cup. However, Your Club departure in 1991, After an irregular season, It marked the beginning of a journey through several teams in Europe.
In Spain, Heynckes left an indelible brand. First trained Athletic Club de Bilbao between 1992 y 1994, where he implemented a competitive game style and won the love of the Basque fans.
It also led to CD Tenerife To play for Europe in the then UEFA Cup between 1995 y 1997 where Tenerife were one of the strongest teams in the league.
Later, in 1997, He arrived at Real Madrid, A club in crisis after 32 years without winning the European Cup. In his only season (1997-98), Heynckes took the team to European glory by winning 1-0 to Juventus in the Champions League final and thus achieve the seventh that resisted for more than 3 decades.
With a controversial goal by Predrag Mijatović. Despite this historical achievement, He was fired at the end of the campaign for not conquering the League, A decision that many consider unfair.
After passing through Benfica and a return to Athletic Club, Heynckes returned to Germany to lead Schalke 04 And to Bayer Leverkusen. In the latter, in between 2009 y 2011, He developed a colorful and offensive football, nicknamed “Bayerkusen”, which enhanced players like Toni Kroos and Arturo Vidal. However, His masterpiece arrived with Bayern Munich between 2011 y 2013.
In his second stage with the Bavaro Club, Heynckes achieved triplet in the season 2012-13: Bundesliga, Germany and Champions League Cup. Wembley's final, Where Bayern defeated 2-1 Al Borussia Dortmund with an agonizing goal by Arjen Robben, He is remembered as one of the most iconic moments of his career.
Withdrawal and back to benches
Heynckes announced his retirement after the triplet, but in 2017 He returned to Bayern as an interim coach after the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti. To his 72 years, stabilized the team and won another Bundesliga in the season 2017-18, demonstrating that his talent had no expiration date. This title marked his definitive farewell to professional football, closing a career of more than 50 years in sport.
Heynckes's legacy transcends trophies. Its ability to adapt to different leagues, His focus on teamwork and human treatment with players made him a reference. Spanish speech fluid, which facilitated its success in Spain, and always maintained a low profile, away from controversies.
Jupp Heynckes titles
As a player
Jupp Heynckes had an outstanding race as a striker, mainly with Borussia Mönchengladbach and the selection of West Germany. These are his titles as a player:
- Bundesliga (4):
- 1970-71 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- 1974-75 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- 1975-76 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- 1976-77 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- German Cup (DFB Cup) (1):
- 1972-73 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- UEFA Cup (1):
- 1974-75 (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- World Cup Football (1):
- 1974 (West Germany)
- Euro Cup (1):
- 1972 (West Germany)
Total as a player: 8 titles.
As coach
As a coach, Heynckes even more heights reached, directing clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. These are his titles as a coach:
- Bundesliga (4):
- 1988-89 (Bayern Munich)
- 1989-90 (Bayern Munich)
- 2012-13 (Bayern Munich)
- 2017-18 (Bayern Munich)
- German Cup (DFB Cup) (1):
- 2012-13 (Bayern Munich)
- Champions League (2):
- 1997-98 (Real Madrid)
- 2012-13 (Bayern Munich)
- Germany Super Cup (2):
- 1987 (Bayern Munich)
- 1990 (Bayern Munich)
- European Super Cup (1):
- 2013 (Bayern Munich)
- Club World Cup (1):
- 2013 (Bayern Munich)
Total as a coach: 11 titles.
Global summary
- As a player: 8 titles.
- As a coach: 11 titles.
- Total titles in your career: 19 titles.
Grades: Your participation in the World Cup 1974 As a player it was limited, But the title is accredited for being part of the team. His triplet with Bayern Munich in 2013 (Bundesliga, Germany and Champions League Cup) It is the highest point of his career as a coach.