By Patrick Reichardt, dpa

Munich (dpa) – Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm heaped praise on Uli Hoeness on Thursday amid speculation the former club president could make a bid to regain his office.

«Uli is so important to the club,» Lahm told reporters attending a media day. «Without him Bayern would not be where it is now.»

Hoeness was released earlier this year after serving nearly half of a three-and-half-year prison sentence for tax evasion.

On Thursday the Kicker sports magazine reported it was «increasingly likely» Hoeness would return to the duel roles of president and chairman of the supervisory board. A decision is expected by the end of the month.

Karl Hopfner took over as president and chairman when Hoeness resigned over the tax affair in 2014 but said from the outset he would not run for the presidency against Hoeness.

Bayern began training for the upcoming Bundesliga campaign this week under new coach Carlo Ancelotti and are seeking a fifth consecutive title.

For Lahm, the incoming coach means a likely return to his previous position of right-back rather than the midfield role he often occupied under Pep Guardiola.

«As far as I can tell, I’m going into the season as right-back,» Lahm said. «I think also that Carlo sees me more as a right-back.»

Guardiola frequently played players out of their traditional positions and at times fielded formations with only one or two defensive specialists.

«We have been very, very well run in how we played,» Lahm said but added «we’ll have to see» if things became «a bit more defensive»
under Ancelotti.