Former Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, has revealed how he threatened to leave Franck Ribery on the bench, in order to get the winger to track back.
The France international won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award on Thursday, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and Heynckes admitted that he needed a kick up the backside, to become the player that he is today.
“You fully deserve to be European Footballer of the Year for 2013,” the 68-year-old wrote in an open letter to Ribery in Kicker. “You were the best! I’m so happy for you and I congratulate you with all my hear.
“We worked together every day in recent years and have built up a special relationship. I always knew that you are a feel player who needs the confidence of the coach.
“During this time you have developed yourself tremendously as a person, and especially as a professional footballer.
“Sure, we had our fights. After the defeat in the Champions League final in 2012, I told you – just as I said to Arjen Robben – that you needed to work back more if we were to achieve something great. I threatened you with the bench.
“But you have proven that you are a team player. You wanted success for the entire team and have invested your great individual skills in the success of the overall plan.
“So, after the success of the collective you have reached this personal triumph. For your unselfish attitude, you have been rewarded.”
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