By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Jupp Heynckes seemed to be in the best possible mood when commentating Bayern Munich's "breaking news day."
"It must be a day to celebrate for media and fans with so many highlights," said the 72-year-old coach of the 2018 German champion.
Bayern will play Real Madrid in Champion League semifinal.
Bayern also announced that 46-year-old Niko Kovac will take over as their coach and confirmed new contracts for their golden agers, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
Kovac will sign a three-year-contract while Ribery and Robben stay for one more season.
When it comes to the matches against Real Madrid, the Champions League winners in the past two years, Heynckes admitted to having mixed feelings. The former striker has won the Europe's premier club prize as a coach with both clubs (1998 with Real and 2013 with Bayern).
"It is a duel between equals," commented Spain expert Heynckes before going on to say, "Two football-loving clubs with a long tradition will go head-to-head. We will see two matches in two football temples with top stars on both sides."
The Bayern coach said it is not only a challenge for Bayern but Real as well. He predicted that the side with the most robust team spirit will win the title. "An area where we are doing well."
While pundits feel Real are the favorite, Heynckes said he does not see any club having an advantage. "Sure they have great players, but so do we," Heynckes said.
Former German international Lothar Matthaeus regards Bayern as the favorite against Real as "they have developed an unbreakable team spirit and are determined to win the trophy."
Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic said, "we lost to Real last year and intended to do better this time. We have great respect but don't feel any fear."
Since 2000, Bayern has only won three of the eight encounters with Madrid. In 2017 and 2014, Bayern lost 6-3 and 5-0 respectively on aggregate whilst they won 6-4 in in 2012.
Regarding Kovac, Heynckes said the former Bayern midfielder is a good choice to take over his job.
Heynckes called Kovac "ready for Bayern as he knows the club and has gained experience working for several clubs and the Croatian national team." Heynckes said his successor is "communicative, innovative and always near his players."
Bayern' s latest coaching appointment has caused criticism from Frankfurt sports director Fredi Bobic who accused Munich of not acting entirely professionally.
"The way Bayern have acted is disrespectful as we are still at a decisive stage of the season," Bobic stressed, adding the news about the Kovac deal was not leaked by Frankfurt.
"Bayern did contact us but all details have surfaced. Behavior like that does not meet our values." Bobic confirmed that Kovac has an exit clause in his Frankfurt contract. It allows him to leave "for a big European club" for 2.2 million euro.
In German media, Kovac is regarded to be only second choice for Bayern.
Originally Bayern was said to be interested in Juergen Klopp (Liverpool) and German national coach Joachim Loew. Both were not available.
After former Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel rejected an offer, announcing he will join a big European club abroad. According to several media reports, the German is destined for Paris St Germain for the next season.
Kovac is described as a team player, addressing the need to get along with the club's leaders. Former German international Stefan Effenberg called him a perfect solution despite his lack of international experience with a big club.
The Berlin-born coach said a dream is coming true for him in getting the chance to work with a club like Bayern.
Salihamidzic said his side is happy "to get Kovac as our coach as he knows all about the club's DNA."
