Dutt to take over Leverkusen post

Robin Dutt will leave his post at Freiburg to become the new manager of Bayer Leverkusen at season’s end, according to the club.

The move clears the way for Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes to take over at Bayern Munich from the departing Louis van Gaal, as had been widely reported.

Dutt, who has one year left on his contract, has jumped at the chance to join Freiburg’s Bundesliga rivals after Heynckes turned down a one-year contract extension.

Heynckes has always maintained he would bow out after two years with Leverkusen, but it is believed the chance to lead one of Europe’s powerhouse clubs in Bayern may tempt the 65-year-old into delaying his retirement.

Dutt joins Leverkusen on a two-year contract with the option of a further year, and is likely to be leading the club into the Champions League next season should Leverkusen’s good form continue.

Leverkusen are second on the Bundesliga table with 55 points, seven points away from first-placed Borussia Dortmund and five clear of Hannover in third.