Schweinsteiger on par with Beckenbauer & Gerd Muller, says Heynckes

The treble-winning coach has hailed the importance of the influential midfielder and thinks Bayern will struggle to replace him

Former Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes believes Bastian Schweinsteiger was as important to the Bavarians as Gerd Muller and Franz Beckenbauer.

The Germany international is set to complete a £12 milliion (€16.75m) transfer to Manchester United and Heynckes is adamant that the 30-year-old will be sorely missed at the Allianz Arena.


"Bastian was the heart and soul of the team at Bayern. He did everything in the team's best interest rather than think about himself," Heynckes told Kicker.

"He is a true icon for the Bayern fans, someone they can identify themselves with.
"Schweinsteiger is right up there with Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller. The Bundesliga and German football will miss him.

"There will not be another player like him at Bayern."

Heynckes guided Bayern to a historic treble in 2012-13, with Schweinsteiger as a key member of his squad.

Schweinsteiger will undergo a medical with United on Monday before completing his move to Old Trafford.