"It will be very good if we discussed a contract extension with Hitzfeld in March or April at most," Rummenigge was quoted as saying by Kicker magazine.

"We spoke about it in the summer but Hitzfeld demanded to delay any negotiations in order to concentrate in the Bundesliga and UEFA Cup campaigns.

"We need him with us in the coming years," he added.

The 58-year-old coach took charge of Bayern last February, succeeding Felix Magath.

Bayern are in charge of the Bundesliga table with 17 points, three clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, whom they face on Saturday.