Bayern Munich has strongly denied media reports that it is looking to replace coach Jupp Heynckes following a string of poor results.
The Bundesliga side said in a statement Wednesday that it has ''full confidence in Jupp Heynckes and his work'' following reports Wednesday that it was already considering alternatives to the 66-year-old.
Bayern dismissed the reports as ''rumor-journalism'' and said club bosses ''condemn this outrageous media speculation, which is not based on facts, in the strongest terms.''
The club said it will consider legal advice against any similar reports in future.
Bayern has only won three out of seven games since the winter break to slip seven points behind Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund with 10 games left to play.
It needs to overturn a 1-0 deficit against FC Basel to progress in the Champions League on March 13, while Borussia Moenchengladbach will also provide stiff opposition in the German Cup semifinal on March 21.
German daily Bild reported that Bayern was considering letting Heynckes go at the end of the season, one year before his contract is due to expire, should it go a second year in a row without silverware.
The newspaper says Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge favors Moenchengladbach coach Lucien Favre to take over, while Hannover coach Mirko Slomka is reportedly favored by club president Uli Hoeness.
