Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said talks are underway regarding Philipp Lahm's future role at the Bundesliga champions.
Lahm, 33, is contracted to the Bavarians until 2018 but said in November he "wouldn't rule out retiring at the end of this season."
Bayern's longest-serving player is tipped to take over as the club's sporting director after his playing days come to an end, with the position yet to be filled after Matthias Sammer left last summer due to illness.
Hoeness, who celebrated his 65th birthday on Thursday, told SportBild: "Initial talks have taken place, yes. As an Englishman would say: 'It's more to come.'"
He said he met with Lahm, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and executive vice-chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen at Bayern's headquarters, adding: "We are in talks but everything is progressing in a very rational manner."
Hoeness confirmed further talks are scheduled for the end of January, but stressed the club wasn't "under any time pressure at all" to fill the position.
Asked whether Lahm would eventually assume the vacant role of sporting director, Hoeness said: "First we'll talk to Philipp, then we will see."
However, Hoeness said in November he would prefer Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning captain to honour his playing contract.