Ribery: Hoeness will return to Bayern

Having been released early from a jail term for tax evasion charges, the former Germany star could make a comeback at the Allianz Arena

Franck Ribery has backed former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness to return to the club, following his release from prison.

The 64-year-old served half of a three-and-a-half-year jail term for tax evasion, and is now considering his future within football.

Hoeness – who was released from jail in February –is reportedly due to make a decision on any potential role at the German champions this week, and Bayern winger Ribery is keen to work with the 1974 World Cup winner again.

“I am sure that he will come back,” the Frenchman told Bild.

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“Uli Hoeness is so important for the club. Bayern Munich has so much power, but Uli can again give the club still more power.

“He has so much power, so much euphoria. Uli is the heart of the club.”

After appearing for the club over 300 times, winning three Bundesliga titles and three European Cups, Hoeness served as Bayern’s sporting director for 30 years.

He was then club president for a further five years up until his conviction in 2014.

Lahm: Schweinsteiger destined to return to Bayern Munich

The Germany international departed the Allianz Arena for Old Trafford last summer but his compatriot and former team-mate is certain he will return once his career is over

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm believes Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is destined to return to the Bundesliga champions once he retires.

The 32-year-old joined Bayern as a youth team player in 1998 and only departed last season, joining Manchester United.

However, Lahm has little doubt that his compatriot will return to the club in a non-playing capacity once his career has ended.

“It is important to get players who achieved a lot involved,” Lahm told Sport Bild.

“Someone like Schweinsteiger is destined to work at Bayern again.

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“He knows everyone here and knows about everything that is going on.”

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, meanwhile, was quick to stress that the club are ready to offer the ex-Germany international an opportunity to return when the opportunity arises.

“We are happy to sit down with him if he ever expresses a desire to return to Bayern in a different role,” he added.

Schweinsteiger endured a difficult first season at United, partially due to ongoing injury problems, and there are doubts over his future at Old Trafford as reports claim he is not part of Jose Mourinho’s plans.

The midfielder’s contract in Manchester runs until 2018.

Bayern played their best ever football under Guardiola – Breitner

The former Germany international believes the Bavarians have never been better than they were under the Catalan, who he says embedded a “beautiful” style a play at the club

Bayern Munich played the best football in the club’s history under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, according to former Bavarians star Paul Breitner.

Guardiola guided Bayern to three consecutive Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals during his time at the Allianz Arena, but was unable to deliver Champions League glory.

Breitner is adamant the lack of European success does not have any influence on his legacy, though, and has nothing but praise for the Catalan.

“Pep gave Bayern its most beautiful, attractive and best football the club has ever seen,” Breitner told TZ.

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“I am not judging him on what Bayern did in the Champions League, but on his legacy. And his legacy is amazing. Pep launched the third stage of a multistage rocket at Bayern.

“Louis van Gaal ignited the first stage by bringing his possession-based philosophy to the club. Jupp [Heynckes] then added movement to that philosophy during the second stage. Nobody could predict what would happen anymore.

“And then Pep perfected matters by bringing even more flexibility and pace. He used the foundation laid by his two predecessors and perfected matters.”

David Alaba reveals Bayern Munich's best and worst FIFA players

The Bayern Munich defender is typically diplomatic but didn’t hold back when asked about which of his teammates needs to step up their digital game.

GOALEXCLUSIVE

NEW YORK — When David Alaba speaks, he is thoughtful, measured and considerate. He doesn’t disparage any opponents, much less a teammate. He says things like, “I’m trying to be one of the faces of the club,” and, “We’re all very thankful for the support, for the love from the fans. We just wanted to give it back on the pitch..”

But get him talking about FIFA 17, and he’s far less diplomatic. 

“Yesterday we were at an Adidas activity with Javi (Martinez), Philipp (Lahm) and Julian (Green), and I was playing with Javi on a team, and he sucked,” Alaba told Goal on Monday at an event announcing a partnership between EA Sports and Bayern Munich.

Later in the evening, Alaba was able to prove his superiority with the joystick, avoiding being stuck with the Spaniard in another FIFA throwdown. This time, he teamed with music producer Zedd and saw off Martinez and NBA champion J.R. Smith 3-0 in a Bayern vs. Bayern friendly.

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Martinez didn’t dispute that he trails far behind some of his teammates in the video game department, at least when it comes to the ultra-popular football series.

“I play the basketball games more than the soccer. I’ll still play the soccer games with the other guys on the team, but I also like to try other things,” Martinez told Goal with a laugh. “It doesn’t bore me, but I prefer to play basketball, so I played but they weren’t the best games.”

According to Alaba Thomas Muller is Bayern’s strongest FIFA player, while Martinez tabbed countryman Juan Bernat, saying he’s “a machine.”

Both players said that they’re pleased with how they look in the game, something that has only gotten stronger with the partnership announced Monday. Bayern players had 360 images taken of their faces, allowing their image in the game to look more like the players than ever.

“I’m not used to seeing myself there,” Martinez said. “It’s also special to see myself there, and yeah, it looks a lot like me. The players are very realistic. It’s incredible.”

Fans will be able to get their hands on the latest incarnation of the FIFA series when it is released in North America on Sept. 27. The worldwide release date is two days later.

Ancelotti agreed Sanches was worth huge fee – Rummenigge

The Portugal international’s price could rise to more than double the initial €35 million, but both the coach and chairman at the Bavarian club believe he is worth it

Bayern Munich executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Carlo Ancelotti agreed Renato Sanches would be worth a potential €80million transfer fee in a March meeting.

During his time at Benfica, Sanches was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, but Bayern swooped in to complete his signing for an initial €35m in May.

That fee could rise by a further €45m depending on success-related bonuses, but Rummenigge and Ancelotti felt the 18-year-old midfielder warranted such a risk.

The chairman pointed to Sanches’ performances in Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning campaign, where he was named Young Player of the Tournament, revelling in Bayern’s astuteness to wrap up the deal ahead of any competitors.

“This is a tremendous amount of money, something we do not need to discuss, but I sat down with Carlo Ancelotti in March and we agreed: this player is worth the risk,” Rummenigge told Bild.

“At the European Championship it has already been seen what tremendous power he brings, and what a personality he is on the pitch at 18. That’s impressive.

“When Renato Sanches became known at the European Championships, he had already signed with us.

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“We won [the race for his signature] because the others had just planned their holidays.”

Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund have also spent big in the close-season, with big-money moves for Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze adding to some other shrewd signings.

Dortmund have fought back from the brink of bankruptcy in the previous decade, and Rummenigge praised the work being done at Signal Iduna Park.

“I don’t believe BVB getting into financial trouble will happen again. They have a good philosophy and will be our natural competitor,” he added.

“It is no coincidence that Dortmund has continually established itself, and it is also proof that football is not exclusively about money, but also good work.

“The conditions were better at other locations, but in Dortmund they have worked better.”