Bayern Munich plan to hold talks with coach Ottmar Hitzfeld during the mid-season break before considering possible replacements for his position.
Hitzfeld’s contract runs out at the end of the season, but manager Uli Hoeness was forced to deny reports claiming the club had approached Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez about becoming the next coach at Bayern.
“We’ve spoken neither to Liverpool nor to Benitez,” Hoeness told Bayern’s web site.
“I’m a very good friend of Ottmar Hitzfeld and I’ve given him my word that he’s the first person we’ll talk to in the winter break.
“If our talks are successful, we’ll have no need to talk to anyone else. If there’s no result, we’ll start thinking about another coach. But until we’ve talked to Ottmar in the winter break, you can take it there’s nothing to any of the rumours.”
Hitzfeld returned for a second spell as Bayern coach towards the end of last season.
After an impressive start to the season, the team has suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, although they still top the Bundesliga standings.
