Under Jupp Heynckes once more, Bayern are a different beast

The relationship between Bayern Munich and former manager Carlo Ancelotti looked destined to be successful. After all, the Italian was a known Champions League exponent and one expected to take the Bundesliga giants back to the top of European football - the rest is history now.

Ancelotti's shortcomings

Ancelotti lost to former side Real Madrid in last season's Champions League quarter-finals, an unwelcome return for a coach of his pedigree. Meanwhile domestically, they only managed to pull clear of newly-promoted RB Leipzig towards the latter stages of the campaign.

Having been successful during Pep Guardiola's tenure in Bavaria, the only fault of his was the inability to deliver a Champions League trophy.

Things seemed to go backward somewhat under Carlo, who was criticised by players including Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller, who complained about his training methods.

A humiliating 3-0 away defeat at the hands of PSG in this season's group stages was enough to convince the club's hierarchy that change was needed. He was sacked and questions about Bayern's long-term stability were undoubtedly raised.

The man with a successful formula

However, the club surprised many by opting for a boss who has proven to be one of the greatest in their history: Jupp Heynckes.

With his father-like approach to management, the players have clearly become more happier under him. His intense training methods are in stark contrast to Ancelotti's, with players previously bemused at the lack of intensity that was employed - not least given Guardiola's obsessive attention to detail in years gone by.

He has also rotated his squad well, with players including Nicklas Sule, Sebastian Rudy, Corentin Tolisso, Muller and Javi Martinez all enjoying ample first-team minutes - without the dissenting voices of players starting a revolt.

His 4-3-3 formation is also a different variant to the one which Ancelotti employed, as players are given more mobility and freedom than they previously were.

The 72-year-old is one of the world's most respected managers but having retired back in 2013 after completing the treble (Champions League, DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga), it was unlikely that we'd see him feature once more.

The resilience and determination that players showed on the pitch, keen to right the wrongs of the previous campaign, ultimately proved pivotal in helping Bayern to achieve such success that year.

They were dominant and swatted past opposition with ease, not least in the Champions League. 4-0 on aggregate against Juventus, 7-0 over two legs against Barcelona, it's no wonder the board turned to Jupp in order to save their season.

Appointed until the end of the 2017/18 campaign, it's clear that Bayern know this is a short-term fix while they search for a long-term replacement.

After all, it's Heynckes' fourth spell in charge of the club. Since his appointment, they have only lost once in 14 matches (all competitions) - while exacting revenge on PSG with a 3-1 victory during the return fixture in Munich.

Bayern Muenchen Training and Press Conference

Nine points clear atop the Bundesliga standings, they are set to face Turkish side Besiktas in the Champions League last-16 in February.

James Rodriguez, Robert Lewandowski and the aforementioned Muller are just three players who are all enjoying their football now, which can only promise to lead onto more success for the Bavarians in future.

Heynckes has already made the desired impact and will be hoping his side maintain consistency, going into the business end of the season.