FCB in no hurry

Uli Hoeneß and the board will initially "fully explore all the options" before settling on the right man to succeed Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Attendance levels at the Säbener Strasse media centre on Monday were more akin to those observed a few days before a Champions League final, as some 60 reporters, 14 camera teams and even a live outside broadcast unit witnessed Uli Hoeneß quite deliberately step aside and allow Ottmar Hitzfeld the right of way as the pair entered the building.

Spotlight on Hitzfeld

Hoeneß's act was almost symbolic in character, as the reason for the vast media gathering was not the first training session of the new year, nor the unveiling of new Brazilian signing Breno, who had already completed his first news conference as a Bayern player. The spotlight was fully and firmly on Hitzfeld, whose departure from the club at the end of the season had been made public a few days previously, and Hoeneß, the man who might drop a hint or two concerning the coach's successor.

Hitzfeld: My work here is done

Hitzfeld clearly and concisely spelled out the reasons behind his decision not to extend his second spell at the club beyond 30 June 2008. "I came here just under a year ago intending to help out for four or five months. I never intended it to be a long-term engagement,� he explained. Hitzfeld, who took over from Felix Magath on 1 February last year, then opted to remain for a further season in order to oversee a major team rebuilding exercise.

by www.bundesliga.de