Bayern Munich is beginning to prepare for the departures of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, sporting director Matthias Sammer has told BT Sport.

Those four players comprised the core of a Bayern side that reestablished themselves at the top of the Bundesliga.

Several of them are now approaching the end of their careers, with Schweinsteiger now 30, Lahm and Robben 31 and Franck Ribery having just turned 32.

"There will be a new generation," he told former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves in an interview to be broadcast on BT on Saturday. "Not now and not tomorrow, but Bayern need to be conscious that it will happen.

"Philipp and Basti are in their early 30s. Xabi Alonso is older [33]. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are over 30. All in the midfield and wing positions.

"If you have big players then you have to discuss these matters as it influences the future of the club. It is true that Lahm is contracted till 2018, and Alonso and Bastian are until 2016, but we have to make plans before it is too late. We must intervene earlier.

"We both know that big players avoid the subject as, in their heads, they think they can play till they are 45, but that is unworkable. I have spoken to [Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge] in the attempt to change this perception.

"Let's get the players on board. They will respect this. You gain openness and trustworthiness. The club has a responsibility to itself to explain a future without Lahm and the others.

"The club must continue beyond these players. That is Lahm's duty as well as the club's."