Bayern Munich confirm Jupp Heynckes as manager until end of season

The 72-year-old, who stepped aside from football after guiding Bayern to the treble in 2013, succeeds Carlo Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena until the end of the season.

"I would not have returned to any other club in the world, but Bayern Munch is a love affair for me," said Heynckes.

Heynckes had previously told German publication Kicker that his appointment was an act of friendship and not a comeback.

Bayern are five points adrift of Bundesliga pacesetters Borussia Dortmund, while they are in a battle to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages after a 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.

"I wouldn't have returned to any other club in the world, but FC Bayern Munchen are very close to my heart," Heynckes said in a statement on the club website.

"My coaching staff and I will now do everything to bring back successful football for the fans. I'm very much looking forward to this challenge."

He will reunite with former assistants Peter Hermann and Hermann Gerland, who were part of his backroom staff during the club's treble-winning season.

Hermann has left his post as assistant coach at Bundesliga 2 side Fortuna Duesseldorf, while Gerland - currently sporting head of Bayern's youth set-up - will now work with the first team until the end of the season.

"There's a great mutual trust between Jupp Heynckes and FC Bayern," CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "We're very thankful to Jupp that he's accepted the offer of head coach. He's the ideal man for FC Bayern at this moment in time."

Heynckes's first match in charge is a home game against Freiburg on Oct. 14.

Heynckes first took charge of Bayern in 1987 before returning as caretaker manager in 2009. His most recent spell, from 2011 to 2013, ended with the club winning the Champions League, plus the domestic league and cup.