Hitzfeld recently revealed his intention to leave in June 2005, when his contract expires, but Bayern, unimpressed by a trophyless campaign, fear another lacklustre season.

"I gave explanations to Ottmar and he accepted them," Hoeness told the daily Abendzeitung.

Hoeness said that they knew that Hitzfeld would have to go after the reigning champion's 3-1 defeat to Werder Bremen earlier this month, which handed the latter the Bundesliga title.

"I realised that we could not go on for another year. After the match it was clear for me - things are no longer working," said Hoeness.

Former Maths teacher Hitzfeld, 55, joined the Bavarian giants from Borussia Dortmund in 1998 and has won four domestic titles, two German Cups, a European Champions League crown and the Intercontinental Cup in 2001.

But his job had been on the line after his failure to win anything this season with the 18-time Germany champions.

VfB Stuttgart manager Felix Magath, 50, out of contract in 2005, has emerged as the favourite to succeed 55-year-old Hitzfeld and is expected to officially seal a deal on the final day of the season on Saturday.

Magath said Wednesday he was set to leave in July to take over at Bayern Munich.

"I have told the players I will probably not be their coach in July but Bayern's coach," Magath said. "Negotiations are being held to enable me to start next season."

Bayern are just one point ahead of third-placed Stuttgart, and three ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.