Hitzfeld rules himself out of Old Trafford job

Of his friendship with Ferguson, he said: 'It's a special relationship. As coaches we respect each other for the same experiences we have been through. I admire him most for his character and personality, not just in the sphere of sport, but in everything he does.

'He has a strength of conviction and he operates in a very open and serious way. His team plays with a clarity. There's no need for secrets and maybe we know each other too well.' Hitzfeld's bluntness in taking himself out of the picture was music to the ears of Bayern president Beckenbauer, who is committed to keeping Hitzfeld in the face of any overtures from Old Trafford or the German national team.

Germany will not be calling now that Ukraine have been conquered - at least until after next summer's World Cup - and Beckenbauer will ensure life at Bayern is too good for Hitzfeld to consider another club.

He said: 'As far as I'm concerned, he can stay here for his whole life. He is the best coach we have ever had - everything has been perfect since he came to us.' Hitzfeld welcomes back skipper Stefan Effenberg for the game in Munich - although Bayern have hardly suffered in his absence, with nine successive victories during his three-month spell out through injury.

It prompted former Bayern star Paul Breitner to say: 'Bayern don't really need him. Actually their game is better without him. It's not tailor-made for him any more.'