Heynckes took over from Jurgen Klinsmann four weeks ago and, with four wins and a draw in his five games in charge, he took the Bavarians close to defending the title.

But he regretted not having been given the chance to work with the team for longer.

"I have got to say that I have enjoyed it from the very beginning," he said.

"It is a shame that the title was already out of reach, but if we had only got a few games more then maybe we had the chance to reach the top.

"Nevertheless, I think Wolfsburg deserved it."

Bayern never once sat on top of the Bundesliga this season and Heynckes admitted that there could be no complaints about the title being taken away from them.

"I think if you evaluate the whole of the season, then you have got to say that Wolfsburg deserve to be German champions," he said.

"Above all for the second half of the season in which they have played great football.

"Congratulations to them and (coach) Felix Magath, who has done a really good job there."

By finishing second, Bayern have secured their place in the Champions League next season and this was some consolation to missing out on the title.

However, Heynckes still found it hard to celebrate finishing as runners-up.

"It was never like this in the past," he said. "Finishing second when I was here for the first time was nothing but today, everybody is delighted with it.

"I know the economic side of it is different because second place means qualification for the Champions League and that is crucial nowadays.

"Bayern's life depends on playing in the Champions League when you think of their image, but in the past, second place would have felt very bitter."

Stuttgart could join Bayern and Wolfsburg in the Champions League next season, although they must come through the final qualifying phase.

Due to a competition re-style, they could draw a side from England, Spain or Italy for a place in the group stages, but their coach Markus Babbel is not even considering that yet.

"If anybody had said when I took over that we would have finished third then everybody at club would have taken that," he said.

"I know today we had the chance to finish in second place, but we lost to a very strong team.

"We have got to be proud and happy with this position and then we can think about what happens next season."