Munich - Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann wants striker Lukas Podolski to stay and fight for his place rather than leave the German champions.

Klinsmann told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa the 23-year-old striker had it easier with the German national side than at Bayern where he has failed to establish himself in his third season at the club.

"The difference is that he has recently been a first choice with the national team which has allowed him to take things in a more relaxed way," Klinsmann said.

"Now he is at a top European club which actually has to have four or five strikers fighting for a place. It is an internal battle with which he is having difficulties."

Klinsmann, who usually favoured Podolski up front when he led the German team to the 2006 World Cup semi-final, said: "I want him to fight his way through. If one day the national team has four or five forwards vying for two places it will be a similar situation."

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has indicated in recent interviews that Podolski might be allowed to leave at the end of the season. Cologne are interested in signing back their former player. (dpa)