Bayern Munich can look forward to a successful second half of the season after completing a six-day training camp in Doha ahead of this weekend's resumption of the Bundesliga following a winter break.

The record German champions travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Friday holding an 11-point lead at the top of the table and have meanwhile been drawn against third-division Paderborn in the quarter-finals of the German Cup.

In the Champions League last-16 draw, Bayern also avoided some of the bigger teams and will be favourites to go through against Turkish side Besiktas.

However Bayern begin the year with a number of uncertainties, not least of all the major question of who will be their next coach after 2013 triple winner Jupp Heynckes - brought in again after the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti - confirmed he would not continue beyond the present campaign.

The contracts of stalwarts Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben also expire at the end of the season, and so far there has been no indication from the club on what their futures hold.

Another senior player, midfielder Arturo Vidal, has been linked with a move to Chelsea, although Heynckes insists the 30-year Chilean, who has a contract until 2019, will be staying.

The futures of wingers Robben and Ribery seem intricably linked with the appointment of a new coach, with no firm talks immediately set. 

Robben, who this month turns 34, and Ribery, who is 35 in April, would both like to stay.

"We are under no pressure I think. We know what we have with these players, and the players know what they have with Bayern," sports director Hasan Salihamidzic said.

Robben, who has now retired from international duty with the Netherlands, and former France international Ribery have been a key part of Bayern's success story over the past decade.

"The club has to do what it thinks is right," said Robben, who arrived at Bayern from Real Madrid in 2009, in Doha.

Long-serving Ribery, who joined Bayern in 2007 from Marseille, was also relaxed about his contract situation, saying: "I have no date, no month. That's not important for me."

Heynckes for one is impressed at the way both, who have had their share of injuries in recent years including this season, continue to perform in training.

"Both are highly motivated," he said. "It's not only important that we still have leaders like this in the team but also that they can call up their potential. That will be of key importance for the near future.

"For me the ability to perform has nothing to do with age. It depends for me on the motivation, the physical fitness and the readiness to once again really give your all for a season. I am personally absolutely convinced they will play a good second half of the season."

What then happens will not be up to Heynckes but the club's management. But first the bosses including chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Uli Hoeness will have to find a new coach, who will undoubtedly want to have a say in squad planning.

Many names have been bandied about including former Dortmund coaches Thomas Tuchel and Juergen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann of Hoffenheim and Leipzig's Ralph Hasenhuettl.

What sort of squad will the new coach be working with? Newcomers could include Schalke's Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, while it will be interesting to see how striker Sandro Wagner fits in after his winter move.

Hoeness also wants a new contract for keeper Sven Ulreich, who has stood in well for injured Manuel Neuer, after his deal expires this season - but his biggest wish is for 72-year-old Heynckes to stay on for another year.

                                                                                                    2018 soccer prediction tips...