Jupp Heynckes is confident Bayern Munich will quickly come through a 'difficult phase'

Jupp Heynckes is back in charge at Bayern Munich

New Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes says he has a "clear plan", which he hopes will help the club return to top form.

The 72-year-old boss retired after guiding Bayern to a Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble in 2013, but he has returned to take over from Carlo Ancelotti after Bayern's poor start to the season.

Bayern are looking for a sixth straight Bundesliga title this season but are already five points behind Borussia Dortmund after seven matches.

Ancelotti was fired a day after the team's 3-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on September 27.

Heynckes spoke to the media on Monday and is planning to try and recreate the time when players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm were at the club.

Carlo Ancelotti parted company with Bayern after their faltering start to the season

"These players sorted a lot of important things in the changing room," said Heynckes. "We need that again, to give the other players more confidence.

"Success is the most important thing. From a sporting point of view, many things must be changed and improved.

"It's no secret that Thomas Muller isn't playing to his full potential, or that Jerome Boateng has struggled after a series of bad injuries.

"I know what I have to do. I need to sit down and speak to the players, and re-instil that feeling of togetherness. I have a clear plan.

"Despite this difficult phase, I am confident that the team will quickly show a different side."

Heynckes paid tribute to his predecessor Ancelotti, who he described as a "very good coach and a real gentleman", and said his whole household had backed his own decision to return.

"It's been a difficult time, but my wife and my daughter said I should do it," he said.

"My dog also barked twice, so that meant I should do it!"

Bayern now face seven games in three weeks following the international break, including league and cup games against Leipzig, two games against Celtic in the Champions League, and a match in Dortmund on 4 November.

Heynckes said it will be tough to catch Dortmund following the leader's great start to the season, but added: "There's no point talking about our objectives just yet.

"I need to restore the players' confidence in themselves."