Coach Jupp Heynckes will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, possibly clearing the way for his reported move to Bayern Munich.
Bayern coach Louis van Gaal is also leaving at the end of the season and Heynckes has been linked with a return to his former club by persistent reports in the German media.
Leverkusen’s new coach will be Robin Dutt, who is now in charge of Freiburg. Dutt will receive a two-year contract, with a one-year extension option, Leverkusen said yesterday.
The 65-year-old Heynckes declined Leverkusen’s offer of a one-year extension on his two-year deal.
“Mr Heynckes informed us that he won’t be available for another year,” Leverkusen managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser said.
Leverkusen are second in the Bundesliga and Heynckes is in the unusual situation of trying to secure a direct slot in the Champions League for his current club at the expense of possibly his future one.
Holzhaeuser, however, told reporters he was under the impression Heynckes planned to retire.
“That’s how I interpret it,” Holzhaeuser said.
Bayern are fourth, seven points behind Leverkusen. There are seven matches remaining and Leverkusen play Bayern on April 17.
“Leverkusen is a very well managed club with a great team,” Heynckes said. “It was a very difficult decision for me to make. I’ll do all I can to secure second place and achieve a direct slot in the Champions League.”
Heynckes came out of retirement to coach Bayern for five games after the firing of Juergen Klinsmann before the club hired van Gaal less than two years ago. Heynckes steered Bayern into the Champions League.
That was Heynckes’ second stint at Bayern after a spell from 1987 to 1991 and his short but successful stay earned him a job in Leverkusen.
Heynckes announced his decision one day after Leverkusen beat Schalke 2-0.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and