Hitzfeld, now coach of Switzerland, guided Bayern to Champions League glory in 2001, four years after winning the trophy with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.

And he can see similarities between the 2001 side and the current Bayern team, who were beaten in the final by Inter Milan last season.

The Bundesliga champions, who are well off the pace in the league, comfortably qualified for the knockout stage top of Group E.

"I am convinced that Bayern have good chances of winning the title," he said in an interview with the Bild newspaper.

"It is similar to 2001. Back then, we also had problems in the league and had lost a few games, but we made up for it in the Champions League."

He added: "Since they were in the final last year, they know that they are one of the best.

"I think they are going to play a good role in the competition again and the unsatisfying league season will give them even more motivation."

Hitzfeld also claimed Bayern were not out of the race for the Bundesliga title, even though they trail league leaders Dortmund by 17 points approaching the midway stage of the season.

"As long as there is still theoretically a chance, then I am convinced that they can do it," he said.