Former Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has declared that Robert Lewandowski would struggle to earn a regular starting spot under coach Pep Guardiola.

Lewandowski missed out on a move to the Allianz Arena this summer, with Borussia Dortmund deciding to make the Polish striker see out the final year of his contract.

Hitzfeld thinks that Guardiola's false-fine system leaves little room for Lewandowski, with last season's star striker Mario Mandzukic currently struggling to nail down a starting spot at Bayern.

He told TZ: "Bayern do not need Lewandowski in normal circumstances. They already showed last season how strong they are.

"I really liked Mandzukic a lot. He fought himself into the team and brought a winner mentality with him. If Mandzukic is not going to play as a real number nine, then how is Lewandowski going to get playing time?

"Lewandowski is a real number nine as well, he's no Lionel Messi. That's what I'm wondering about. Do you really need Lewandowski in Guardiola's system?"

Bayern get the defence of their Bundesliga crown underway on Friday night against Borussia Monchengladbach.