Beckenbauer joins criticism of Bayern’s Schweinsteiger

Franz Beckenbauer has joined Oliver Kahn in criticising Bayern Munich’s vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger for his lack of leadership alongside the Bavarians’ skipper Philipp Lahm.

Schweinsteiger played in Bayern’s 5-0 drubbing of Hamburg in the German league on Saturday, but Beckenbauer has questioned whether the midfielder has the ability to take charge on the pitch when Bayern are under pressure.

“I think Oliver Kahn is right,” ex-Germany coach and captain Beckenbauer said.

“Schweinsteiger played at the start of the season and distributed passes around like he has always done, but (Bayern’s) game didn’t work.

“Then what you expect of the captain or an experienced player is that they take charge. Bastian did not do that.”

Former Bayern goalkeeper Kahn was the first to voice criticism last week when he blamed Lahm and Schweinsteiger’s lack of leadership on Bayern’s poor start to the season.

Bayern opened their league campaign a fortnight ago with a shock 1-0 home defeat to Bor. Moenchengladbach and then needed a late goal to win 1-0 at Wolfsburg.

But after Schweinsteiger helped orchestrate Bayern’s 2-0 win over FC Zurich in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier last Wednesday, Beckenbauer said the Germany midfielder is starting to show his leadership skills.

Meanwhile, Beckenbauer has insisted there is no problem with Bayern president Uli Hoeness entering the Munich changing room at half-time, but only coach Jupp Heynckes can address the team.

“When Uli Hoeness wants to go into the changing room, then he goes in,” insisted Beckenbauer.

“The club’s president can go into the changing room, there is no discussion at all, but the coach is the boss in there.”