Bayern in crisis as Champions League all but lost

BERLIN, Apr 29 (Reuters) Bayern Munich's sporting director Uli Hoeness plans to make sweeping changes at his team after their hopes of reaching next season's Champions League were all but dashed with a second straight defeat yesterday.

''It's obvious that this team is going to be completely changed,'' Hoeness said after the 2-1 home loss to Hamburg SV left them seven points behind Werder Bremen in the race for third place, and the Champions League, with three matches left.

''Our fans aren't going to have to see this team any more. We're not going to put up with this any longer.

''A lot of players had their chances but didn't use them and they don't deserve another one. We're working hard to put together a new team that doesn't have anything to do with this one, a team that will be playing for the championship from the outset.

''We've got enough money,'' Hoeness said yesterday. ''We're buying quality. We've been very industrious.'' Bayern have won seven of the last 10 Bundesliga championships but will most likely miss the Champions League for the first time since 1996.

Hoeness bent Bundesliga rules last week by holding a secret meeting in a Hanover airport hotel with Werder Bremen's Miroslav Klose. Klose, who has another year on his contract, escaped punishment by apologising after media reported on the meeting.

Klose said it was only ''an informational conversation'', not contract talks.

The loss to HSV was Bayern's 10th in 31 matches this season. They have 53 points and are likely to play in the UEFA Cup.

Hoeness did not reveal any names of players he felt should go but Claudia Pizarro, Hasam Salihamidzic, Mehmet Scholl, Owen Hargreaves, Roque Santa Cruz, Julio dos Santos, Ali Karimi and Christian Lell are confirmed or likely to leave. Martin Demichelis, Roy Makaay and Daniel van Buyten are also on thin ice.

''If I were to say what I'm thinking the club would have to suspend me,'' said captain Oliver Kahn after Bayern gave up two late goals to HSV. ''I'm afraid to lose my job so I had better not say anything.'' Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said his team were in danger of a meltdown.

''The situation is dangerous. The whole team can fall apart.'' REUTERS AKD PM1547