The defending German champions' title hopes are fading fast as they trail leaders Schalke by nine points, while claiming a place in the Champions League next season is far from certain.

At the moment, only a place in the UEFA Cup looms and Hitzfeld is aware changes must be made, and fast.

"Some things are too relaxed here for my liking," he told Sport Bild magazine.

"I am therefore wondering whether maybe we should get together a day earlier before each game.

"If the players are together for longer, maybe they will realise how serious the situation is."

Hitzfeld recently agreed to extend his contract for a year beyond the end of the current season after knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League and moving closer to the summit of the Bundesliga.

But his team lost to struggling Frankfurt immediately afterwards to fall nine points behind the Bundesliga leaders Schalke.

"We cannot return to normality just after a few good results," he added.

"There must be some reasons as to why this season has gone so badly."

The Bavarians host Schalke in the next round of league matches and know that defeat in that game would effectively end any lingering hopes of defending their title.

Hitzfeld will welcome much of his squad back from international duty on the Thursday, and will then take them away for a training camp to get them focused for their biggest game of the season.

He added: "You can put together a decent programme in two days and I have a few surprises up my sleeve."