A list of Bayern Munich managers: Find out who has ever managed the great Bayern Munich

A list of Bayern Munich managers: Find out who has ever managed the great Bayern Munich

Lenah Ann
May 31, 2024 at 9:57 PM
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Bayern Munich's success in German football is unmatched. The team has consistently dominated the domestic competition, winning 32 Bundesliga titles. Bayern Munich managers have been instrumental in the club's expansion and have contributed significantly to the club's standing as a global football superpower.

Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti
Thomas Tuchel (L) on 18 May 2024, Pep Guardiola (C) on 26 July 2023, and Carlo Ancelotti (R) on 08 May 2024. Photo: Matthias Hangst, Robbie Barratt, Alvaro Medranda. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

Bayern has had several managers lead it to glory. The club's persistent investment in management expertise has ensured a perpetual cycle of success and progress. It has also assisted in nurturing emerging talents and integrating them into the first team.

Bayern Munich managers list

Bayern Munich boasts a distinguished lineage of accomplished head coaches, each contributing their distinct style and methodology. The list of Bayern Munich managers, as listed by World Football, demonstrates the team's aspiration and dedication to excellence. Here is a list of their caches from 1965 to 2024.

Manager

Time in office

Thomas Tuchel

24 March 2023 - May 2024

Julian Nagelsmann

1 July 2021 - 24 March 2023

Hansi Flick

3 November 2019 - 30 June 2021

Niko Kovac

1 July 2018 - 3 November 2019

Jupp Heynckes

9 October 2017 - 30 June 2018

Willy Sagnol

29 September 2017 - 8 October 2017

Carlo Ancelotti

1 July 2016 - 28 September 2017

Josep Guardiola

1 July 2013 - 30 June 2016

Jupp Heynckes

1 July 2011 - 30 June 2013

Andries Jonker

10 April 2011 - 30 June 2011

Louis van Gaal

1 July 2009 - 9 April 2011

Jupp Heynckes

8 April 2009 - 30 June 2009

Jürgen Klinsmann

1 July 2008 - 27 April 2009

Ottmar Hitzfeld

1 February 2007 - 30 June 2008

Felix Magath

1 July 2004 - 31 January 2007

Ottmar Hitzfeld

1 July 1998 - 30 June 2004

Giovanni Trapattoni

1 July 1996 - 30 June 1998

Franz Beckenbauer

29 April 1996 - 30 June 1996

Otto Rehagel

1 July 1995 - 27 April 1996

Giovanni Trapattoni

1 July 1994 - 30 June 1995

Franz Beckenbauer

28 December 1993 - 30 June 1994

Errich Ribbeck

11 March 1992 - 27 December 1993

Sören Lerby

9 October 1991 - 10 March 1992

Jupp Heynckes

1 July 1987 - 8 October 1991

Udo Lattek

1 July 1983 - 30 June 1987

Reinhard Saftig

17 May 1983 - 30 June 1983

Pal Csernai

1 March 1979 - 16 May 1983

Gyula Lorant

2 December 1977 - 28 February 1979

Dettmer Cramer

16 January 1975 - 30 November 1977

Udo Lattek

14 March 1970 - 2 January 1975

Branko Zebec

1 July 1968 - 13 March 1970

Zlatko "Cik" Cajkovski

1 July 1965 - 30 June 1968

Who is the most successful manager in the clubs? We highlight the profiles of the past ten masterminds who have coached the club and their achievements.

10. Carlo Ancelotti

Former Bayern Munich's manager Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid and former Bayern Munich's manager, celebrates after the team's victory on 08 May 2024. Photo: Alexander Hassenstein
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Carlo Ancelotti
  • Date of birth: 10 June 1959
  • Nationality: Italian
  • Matches: 60

The current head coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, is among the previous Bayern Munich managers who made history at the club. He took charge of the German club in 2016 and led it to a Bundesliga championship.

Despite his domestic success, his career was cut short because of underwhelming Champions League results and a purported lack of faith from prominent players.

9. Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola looks on after losing the FA Cup Final
Pep Guardiola looks on after losing the Emirates FA Cup Final match on 25 May 2024. Photo: Marc Atkins
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Josep Guardiola Sala
  • Date of birth: 18 January 1971
  • Nationality: Spain
  • Matches: 161

Pep Guardiola, known for his technical prowess, led Bayern Munich from 2013 until 2016. Under Guardiola, Bayern won two DFB-Pokals and three straight Bundesliga titles. He left the team with a unique playing style despite not winning the Champions League.

8. Andries Jonker

Andries Jonker training the Dutch women's national team
Andries Jonker during the MD-1 training of the Dutch women's national team in the run-up to the Nations League match 27 on February 2024. Photo: ANP
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Andries Jonker
  • Date of birth: 22 September 1962
  • Nationality: Netherland
  • Matches: 5

Jonker joined the German football powerhouse in July 2009 as Louis van Gaal's assistant. In this capacity, he helped the club win the 2010 DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga double.

After that, in April 2011, he became the team's temporary leader until the completion of the 2011 season. Jonker was named the new manager of Bayern Munich II in June 2011.

7. Jürgen Klinsmann

Jürgen Klinsmann during the AFC Asian Cup semi-final match
Jürgen Klinsmann reacts during the AFC Asian Cup semi-final match between Jordan and South Korea on 6 February 2024. Photo: Simon Holmes
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jürgen Klinsmann
  • Date of birth: 30 July 1964
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 43

Former player and professional football manager Jürgen Klinsmann ranked among Germany's best attackers in the 1990s. Klinsmann had an unsettling and brief tenure. Despite his prior success with the German national side, his inventive tactics did not work well at the Bundesliga giants, and he got fired before the season ended.

6. Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Ottmar Hitzfeld looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group E match between Switzerland and France on 20 June 2014. Photo: Stuart Franklin
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ottmar Hitzfeld
  • Date of birth: 12 January 1949
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 76

German-born Ottmar Hitzfeld was a manager and a professional football player. He won eighteen trophies at Grasshopper Club Zürich, Borussia Dortmund, and the Bavarians.

One of the most respected Bayern Munich past managers is Ottmar Hitzfeld, who reappeared in 2007. During this time, he added to his already remarkable history at the club by winning the Bundesliga championship and the DFB-Pokal.

5. Jupp Heynckes

Jupp Heynckes looks on before a friendly match
Jupp Heynckes looks on before the friendly match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chicago Fire at Allianz Arena on 28 August 2018. Photo: TF-Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Josef "Jupp" Heynckes
  • Date of birth: 9 May 1945
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 109

During his third spell, Jupp Heynckes guided the Bavarians to a historic triple crown in the 2012/13 campaign, taking home the Champions League, the DFB-Pokal, and the Bundesliga. This accomplishment cemented his reputation among famous Bayern Munich managers, as ranked by the Bundesliga website.

4. Niko Kovac

Niko Kovac instructing his players
Niko Kovac gives the team instructions during the Bundesliga match on 16 March 2024. Photo: Cathrin Mueller
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Niko Kovač
  • Date of birth: 15 October 1971
  • Nationality: Croatia
  • Matches: 65

Niko Kovač is among Bayern Munich's last five managers who made history with the club. Until he retired from international football in January 2009, he served as the Croatia national team's longstanding captain.

Under his leadership, the German giants won the DFB-Pokal and the Bundesliga, completing a domestic double. Unfortunately, he left in November 2019 due to uneven play, particularly in the Champions League.

3. Hansi Flick

Hansi Flick during an international friendly match
Hansi Flick looks on after the team's defeat in the international friendly match between Germany and Japan on 9 September 2023. Photo: Christof Koepsel
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Hans-Dieter Flick
  • Date of birth: 24 February 1965
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 86

Following Niko Kovač's resignation in November 2019, Flick, who had returned to the Bavarians as an assistant coach, was appointed temporary manager. In 2020, he won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Champions League, making it the first-ever sextuple under his leadership.

He went down in history as one of the best Bayern Munich managers in recent years. He was known for his technical brilliance and ability to motivate his players.

2. Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann before a Bundesliga match
Julian Nagelsmann looks on before the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München on 10 February 2024. Photo: Stefan Brauer
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Julian Nagelsmann
  • Date of birth: 23 July 1987
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 84

Julian Nagelsmann is a German football coach who manages the German national team. With a reputation for using cutting-edge strategies and a contemporary style of play, he was chosen to coach the Bavarians in 2021.

Despite his youth, Nagelsmann has established a solid reputation at RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim. Under his management, Bayern maintained its competitive advantage in the Champions League and continued to rule the Bundesliga.

1. Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel during Bayern Munich's training
Thomas Tuchel oversees his first training session at FC Bayern Munich on 28 March 2023. Photo: Michaela Rehle
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thomas Tuchel
  • Date of birth: 29 August 1973
  • Nationality: German
  • Matches: 61

Thomas Tuchel is the most recent head coach in the Bavarians' history. Despite being one of the greatest coaches in the world and generally recognized as a tactical innovation in contemporary football, he was fired from the club in May 2024 due to underperformance.

Frequently asked questions

The key pillars of the club's achievement are tactical innovation, intelligent management, and outstanding player development by the famed managers. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Bavarians' coaches.

How many managers have Bayern Munich had?

Throughout its existence, the German soccer powerhouse has had over thirty different managers; some, like Jupp Heynckes, have held the position numerous times.

Who is considered the best manager in Bayern Munich's history?

Many people consider Jupp Heynckes the greatest manager in the club's history, especially after he guided the squad to an unprecedented treble in the 2012/13 campaign.

Who was the youngest manager to take charge of Bayern Munich?

Julian Nagelsmann is the youngest manager to lead the Bavarians in 2021. He led the club at 33.

Final Word

Bayern Munich managers have been essential to the club's success, showcasing their prowess on domestic and international stages. Bayern Munich Champions League title managers Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld cemented the club's European supremacy.

READ ALSO: A list of all Boston Celtics head coaches: Who is the greatest of them all?

Sports Brief has compiled a list of all Boston Celtics head coaches, detailing the greatest of them all. Although all the credit has always gone to the players, the Boston Celtics head coaches also deserve some recognition for their immense contributions throughout the years. Click on the link above for more details.

Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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Carlo AncelottiPep GuardiolaThomas TuchelJulian Nagelsmann