Beckenbauer to Bayern players: Do you want to be second class, or do you want to be one of the greats?

German legend Franz Beckenbauer has issued a rally call to crisis-stricken Bayern Munich, urging players to step up and achieve their potential.

After failing to win their last two competitive matches the Bavarians stand four points behind leaders Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and are in serious danger of being eliminated from the Champions League. Speaking to Bild, Beckenbauer addressed the trouble in Munich.

"The players must have it hammered home right now: do you want to be second-class internationals or become some of the greats?"

Many among Bayern's current team competed in the Champions League, European Championship and World Cup finals. But unlike Beckenbauer, who won each of the above at least once, none have won a major international tournament.

Beckenbauer continued, asserting that the Bavarian management must explicitly warn the players what is at stake if they do not soon find their form. But he also stood behind coach Jupp Heynckes.

"[Christian] Nerlinger, [Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge, [Uli] Hoeness and Heynckes must come together and make the seriousness of the situation clear to the players.

"The sporting responsibility belongs to Jupp Heynckes, but in him I have no doubt."

Beckenbauer was more critical of the Bayern players, and blamed a lack of leadership within the squad for the team's inability to recover from a poor start in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League loss away to Basel on Wednesday.

"[Former captain Oliver] Kahn would have immediately intervened, brought together the players and driven the team forward."

Bayern's next match is scheduled for Sunday, when they play host to Schalke in the Bundesliga. Kick-off from the Allianz Arena is scheduled for 15.30CET.