Jupp Heynckes succeeded Udo Lattek as coach in 1987 and enjoyed his first Bundesliga success during the 1988-89 season with a strong side that boasted both the best defence and the best attack in the division.

This was very much a new look team after the departures of the influential Brehme and Matthäus in the summer. A major recruitment drive brought in Erland Johnsen, Johnny Ekström, Olaf Thon and Stefan Reuter, while it was the very much already-established Roland Wohlfarth and Jürgen Wegmann who provided the goals that underpinned the club's eleventh title success.