Rensing Ready To Inherit Kahn’s Mantle

With Bayern in Marbella at their winter training headquarters, Rensing has spoken of his excitement ahead of next season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it” Rensing admitted, even though he has some huge boots to fill.

Support and an endorsement have come from the outgoing legend Kahn.

“He’s ready. He’s earned the chance, and he should be given it. He’s come on very, very well in recent years, and he’s reached exactly the right moment to prove he’s capable of consistently excellent displays at a club of Bayern’s stature” Kahn explained.

“It’s a huge ask and a lot of pressure for a young man” he warned, adding that Rensing “should be allowed to make mistakes. However, he’s had plenty of games where he’s shown he’s up to it and can be relied upon” Kahn concluded.

General manager Uli Hoeneβ has also put his faith in the 23 year old making it clear that Rensing would “without question” inherit Kahn’s number one shirt.

“I get the impression that Jürgen Klinsmann thinks a lot of Michael” he added.

“I’m naturally delighted at the level of backing from the club” Rensing commented.

“I always train and prepare myself before matches as if I was going to play. Jürgen Klinsmann is a fan of active goalkeeping, and that’s definitely good for me.”

How long Rensing can keep up his record of not being on the losing side in 18 Bayern appearances remains to be seen.

Bayern To Grab Borowski On Bosman

Werder Bremen released a statement on Sunday confirming that Borowski had rejected their latest offer of an extension to his current deal at the Weserstadion.

Bremen boss Thomas Schaaf spoke briefly but poignantly on the subject following the confirmation of the news.

"It's a shame," he said. "We would have happily carried on working with Tim."

The announcement comes soon after Bayern revealed Jürgen Klinsmann would be taking over from Ottmar Hitzfeld as manager at the end of the season.

A legendary manager, then, being replaced by a legendary player. It is thought Klinsmann's prospective appointment may have influenced Borowski's eventual decision to walk out on his first and only professional club to date, as it was Klinsmann who led an under pressure Germany team, of which Borowski was part, to the World Cup semi finals on home soil 2006.

It is unclear whether Klinsmann himself had any influence in the signing of the dominating midfielder, though he will no doubt play an important role in what is looking an increasingly strong midfield unit at the Allianz Arena.

Borowski, 27, has been capped 31 times by Germany, scoring twice.

Vogts: Klinsmann Destined For Bayern CL Win

New FC Bayern München boss Jürgen Klinsmann has been tipped for the top by Berti Vogts.

The former Germany manager, who is about to lead Nigeria in the Cup of African Nations, told Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung, "Bayern Munich will win the next two editions of the Champions League.

"He'll continue to do the work that he began with the DFB [German FA]."

Klinsmann is under presure to lead Bayern to their first Champions League win since 2001 when he takes over from the outbound Ottmar Hitzfeld this summer.

The 43-year-old former Inter striker has been out of management since stepping down from the Nationalelf post following a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup.

Klinsmann to return as Bayern coach

Having led Germany to third place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in his only previous coaching job, Jürgen Klinsmann is to return to management in his homeland as Ottmar Hitzfeld's replacement at FC Bayern München on 1 July. "We always said we could get the one we wanted, whoever it was," said Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness. "And we wanted it done early."

Success
The Bundesliga leaders announced the news this morning and were delighted that the 43-year-old would "take on the challenge of leading Bayern to domestic and European success". Klinsmann knows all about picking up trophies with Germany's biggest club, having lifted the UEFA Cup and two domestic titles at the Olympiastadion between 1995 and 1997.

'Really happy'
Klinsmann, who has signed for two years until 30 June 2010, will move back to Munich from the United States. He said: "I am really, really happy and I am honoured to become coach of Bayern. It is a similar situation to three and a half years ago when I took over the national team." Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer added: "I am looking forward to Jürgen Klinsmann arriving. I don't find the decision brave but wise and well thought-out. Jürgen was successful with his new methods for the nation team. I am sure he will be successful at Bayern too."

Vibrant team
Klinsmann also played for SV Stuttgarter Kickers and VfB Stuttgart in addition to enjoying success in Italy, where he claimed the 1991 UEFA Cup with FC Internazionale Milano, France and England – with AS Monaco FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC respectively. At international level, the striker won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 UEFA European Championship. He became national coach in 2004, restoring German belief before they hosted the World Cup, and steered a vibrant young team to the semi-finals before stepping down.

Hitzfeld departure
A former coach of Klinsmann, Hitzfeld revealed at the start of the year he would be leaving the Fußball Arena München once his contract expired at the end of the season. "I will try over the next six months to be successful and win as many titles as possible," said the 58-year-old. "I congratulate Uli Hoeness on his decision. Jürgen Klinsmann is an outstanding coach, he knows Bayern München. Also he speaks English, Italian and French so can talk to all the players." Bayern play Aberdeen FC in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 in February.

Hitzfeld: Klinsmann A First Class Solution

Current trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld has reacted positively to the news saying that Klinsmann is the perfect choice.

“I congratulated Uli Hoeneß on his decision. Jürgen Klinsmann is a tremendous coach and he knows Bayern. Also he speaks English, Italian and French, so will be able to converse with the players.

“He is a big motivator and that is a first-class solution. Now we can work in peace.”

Bayern captain Oliver Kahn, who won’t be around to work under Klinsmann when he retires at the end of the year, was rather less effusive.

“I’m not concerned with the topic. As captain I’m concentrating my energies on the here and now. Who the trainer is next season doesn’t affect me, but of course I wish Jürgen Klinsmann all the best.”

National team trainer Joachim Löw, who succeeded Klinsmann as Bundestrainer, has welcomed the return of his predecessor.

“For me personally, it’s a surprise. After our recent telephone conversations I was sure he was going to make a return to management. Bayern will be a great project for him.”

Bayern’s nearest league rivals are Werder Bremen and their trainer Thomas Schaaf said: “Jürgen had success at the World Cup and Bayern will want him to continue that with them. Whether he does that, or not, is not something I have to think about.”

Torsten Frings was a little more blunt. “It doesn’t interest me, it really doesn’t interest me” was his opinion.

Werder general manager Klaus Allofs, who himself has recently been linked with a move to the Bavarian giants, does not fear that Klinsmann may prove to be a magnet for Germany’s top players.

“For me it’s a big surprise. I just hope he doesn’t take over with Bayern as champions. I don’t think though, that there will be any great migration of German internationals to Bayern.”

Breno Determined To Succeed

Using countryman Zé Roberto as his translator, he told reporters: “I want to settle as quickly as possible and begin fighting for a place in the team, winning trophies and succeeding.

“I’ve been impressed so far” the 18-year-old defender added.

“The cold isn’t so bad, I don’t have a big problem with the weather,” he insisted after his first session on a Munich winter’s day.

Trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld is also looking forward to getting to know the talented Brazilian.

“Breno is a young player who’s just arrived at his first major club in Europe, and that’s plain to see,” reported Hitzfeld.

“I’ll need to get to know him properly at our training camp, and see how he fares against the likes of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni. That’ll be the real test of his class.

“From the videos I’ve seen he looks extremely impressive in terms of his positioning, aerial strength and tackling.

“I’m sure he’ll become a great player. Bayern will get a huge amount back from him in the future” he added.

Hoeneß Criticises Stuttgart

He has reacted angrily to what he perceives as open courting of their player.

“It’s not right to flirt with a player in this way, who still has a two-and-a-half year contract with his club” Hoeneß said.

“I don’t know how Stuttgart would react if we said that we were interested in Mario Gomez.”

The Bayern manager, who is never one to avoid a confrontation, asked the Swabians to “follow proper etiquette in future.”

“If we behaved in such a way, there would soon be a letter of protest from Stuttgart” Hoeneß claimed.

The reigning champions announced their interest in Podolski at the weekend, with the player mostly confined to the substitute’s bench so far this season.

“It would be a mistake not to go for a player like Podolski” Heldt explained from VfB’s training headquarters in Dubai.

He did however rule out a loan move for the player in the January transfer window saying that: “There has been no contact with him.

“But we have to see whether a move for Podolski is realistic or not. Many factors play a role, and it’s still not clear whether he will leave Bayern in the summer.”