This comes as a surprise! Klinsmann returns to FC Bayern | OneFootball

Jürgen Klinsmann was once a striker for FC Bayern and later coached the Munich team. Now he is making a surprise return

Hardly anyone expected this: Jürgen Klinsmann will once again wear the FC Bayern jersey. The 61-year-old will take part in the FC Bayern Legends Cup, which will be held at the SAP Garden on 18 January 2026. For the 1990 world champion, it will be his first active return to the field in Munich in almost three decades

Klinsmann was a striker for the record champions between 1995 and 1997, scoring an impressive 48 goals in 84 competitive matches and winning the UEFA Cup in 1996, the competition in which Klinsmann set a goalscoring record that stood until 2011 with 15 goals

His subsequent stint as Bayern coach ended less successfully in 2009, but the Legends Cup will once again focus on Klinsmann the player – and he will bring back many nostalgic memories for fans

The Legends Cup promises a top-class field of participants, with FC Bayern being joined by the legends teams of Real Madrid, Juventus Turin, Celtic Glasgow, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund. The first edition of the tournament took place last March under the name „Beckenbauer Cup“ and was held in honour of Franz Beckenbauer. Back then, Bayern won the title with a 4:0 victory over Real Madrid in the final

Ribéry and Robben also play for Bayern in the Legends Cup

The event is particularly appealing due to the many celebrities who have confirmed their attendance. The legendary wingers Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben will be there, as will Lothar Matthäus, Giovane Élber and Mario Mandžukić, who played a key role in the historic treble in 2013. The Bayern team will be coached by Philipp Lahm, who is also one of the club’s legends

photo: IMAGO

Klinsmann’s return will be an emotional moment. The 1996 UEFA Cup triumph is still regarded as one of the great moments of his career. FC Bayern defeated Girondins Bordeaux in both finals – 2-0 and 3-1 – and Klinsmann played a decisive role with a goal in the second leg. His 15 goals in a European Cup competition caused an international sensation and had a lasting impact on his time in Munich

After his career ended, Klinsmann worked as a coach at FC Bayern, Hertha BSC, the US and South Korean national teams and, of course, as national coach. There has recently been speculation about a possible return to the national team, but for now one date has been set: on 18 January, he will be back in action for Bayern.