Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski and Philipp Lahm were singled out for criticism ahead of the national team friendly with Austria.

"In 2006, they were dubbed as World Cup heroes, but they never looked the same ever since," Beckenbauer said.

"They failed to show this form in the Bundesliga," he added in an interview with German paper Bild.

Bayern lead the German League on 39 points, three ahead of main rivals Werder Bremen.

The trio is included in Germany's squad for the Vienna game on Wednesday.

Beckenbauer hopes the trio can restore top form during the Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland in June.

"I wish they find their highest level in the European competition," he said.