Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes believes the disappointment of a two-year trophy drought has spurred his team on to improve this season.
As the Bavarian side sit nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, the 67-year-old knows his players must continue their form to prevent a repeat of last season’s title failure.
And Heynckes has been impressed with the attitude shown by his men after being beaten to the title by Borussia Dortmund, as well as the heartache of losing the Champions League final to Chelsea on home soil in May.
“Bayern failed to win a trophy for two years,” he told the official club website.
“That’s not acceptable in the light of the club’s ambitions and expectations, and it’s been a wake-up call to everyone at the club.
“We’re now all working even more attentively, we’re even more alert, professional and focused. Every one of my players is stepping back from the limelight, and every one of them is absolutely a team player this season.”
As Bayern prepare to leave for a training camp in Qatar in the new year, the former Bayer Leverkusen coach is pleased that the players get time to rest from their responsibilities on and off the pitch, but insisted that form must not drop on their return to action.
He added: “The lads were desperate for the holidays. A pro at Bayern doesn’t merely have to play football, he has a range of other appointments on behalf of the club. It all drains your energy.
“We have to keep it up. I won’t deviate from our chosen course one single millimetre.”