BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer said he was hopeful of convincing new coach Ottmar Hitzfeld to stay with the Bavarian giants next season.

The 58-year-old Hitzfeld swept into the Bayern hotseat until the end of the season after the sacking last Wednesday of Felix Magath after the 20-time champions slipped to fourth in the Bundesliga.

"It would be premature to get in contact with other coaches," said Beckenbauer.

"First we´re going to try again to get Ottmar to change his mind. He´s just had two and a half years of rest. He could still stay one or two more years."

Hitzfeld, won four titles with Bayern amd guided the club to the Champions League crown in 2001, before leaving in 2004.