Leverkusen cool Heynckes talk

Bayer Leverkusen have played down speculation manager Jupp Heynckes could leave for former club Bayern Munich in the summer.

Defending champions Bayern are reportedly already hunting for a coach to succeed current boss Louis van Gaal after confirming the Dutchman will depart the Bundesliga club at the end of the season.

That announcement followed a poor run of Bayern results, with the German giants failing to emulate the success of last season when they lifted their 22nd league trophy.

Heynckes, who is out of contract at Leverkusen in the summer, is one of a host of names being linked with the soon-to-be vacant post, having coached at the club twice before, most recently as caretaker boss in the 2008-09 season.

But Leverkusen spokesman Meinolf Sprink insists Bayern have not contacted the club about the role.

"Jupp Heynckes is under contract at our club," he told German newspaper tz.

"We have not been in touch with anyone regarding this, though we were pretty much unaware of these rumours."