Michael Ballack is very likely to leave Bayern Munich and the club must start looking for a replacement, coach Felix Magath was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
"When Michael leaves, we will lose a personality capable of taking responsibility," Magath told Munich daily TZ.
"We need to look for such a leading figure outside the club," the Bayern coach added.
Several top European clubs have targeted the gifted midfielder, whose agent said last week he was very interested in a move to Chelsea.
Ballack, the Germany captain, has denied reports he had already signed a four-year deal with the English champions but has made clear that he was looking forward to a new challenge.
"This is a great opportunity to take a new orientation," Magath said of Ballack's likely departure.
"We do depend a lot on him but that does not mean we will have problems once he's gone."
The 29-year-old Ballack joined Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. He is widely regarded as the only genuine world-class player Germany has to offer.