Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer remains tight-lipped on the future of the club s current coach Jupp Heynckes.
Despite the team overcoming a recent slump in form to score 20 goals in their last three games, the Bavarian giants remain five points behind Borussia Dortmund in the race for the Bundesliga title.
In an interview with Bild, the club s honorary president was questioned whether Heynckes has a future at the Allianz Arena.
It depends how you define the future. I can imagine him staying until 2013 as long as he feels fit enough and it goes well (on the pitch), Beckenbauer said.
Talking about a possible replacement for when Heynckes does eventually leave Bayern, Beckenbauer hinted the club may opt for someone with a history in Bavaria.
Those in charge may decide they want a coach with a Bayern past such as (Thorsten) Fink or (Markus) Babbel. Or maybe someone completely external. (Matthias) Sammer was already close to it (in 2009), but then we opted for Louis van Gaal, he said.
Bayern face Hannover at home on Saturday as they look to close the gap on leaders Dortmund to two points, with Juergen Klopp s men to meet Cologne on Sunday.
