New Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has prescribed a period of rest for Thomas Muller ahead of the 2016-17 Bundesliga season.
Muller has been a key figure during Bayern's monopoly of the German title over the past four seasons but he fell some way short of his best form at Euro 2016, failing to find the net as world champions Germany bowed out at the semi-final stage.
And Ancelotti has now revealed that he has had a conversation with Muller, and will allow the 26-year-old an extended break in order to bring him back up to full fitness.
"I have already spoken with Thomas," said the former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss.
"He needs a holiday because he has completed many games, but when he comes back, he will be an important part of the team."
Ancelotti would not be drawn on the future of Mario Gotze, however, with speculation mounting that the forward is poised to return to former club Borussia Dortmund
"I have no new information - Mario Gotze is still a player of Bayern Munich," he said.
"Yes, I spoke with Mario Gotze, but that was a private conversation."
With or without Gotze, Ancelotti expects Dortmund to provide the major challenge to Bayern once again in 2016-17, despite losing Ilkay Gundogan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mats Hummels to Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern respectively.
"They are a good team, I think they will be very strong again this season," Ancelotti explained. "They have committed to a lot of good, young players."
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- Goal