Philipp Lahm has called on Bayern Munich's management team to begin implementing a plan to replace the senior members of the current squad.
The full-back spoke to German news outlet Sport Bild about the need to make a contingency plan for the inevitable raft of player retirements in the coming years.
Lahm (32 years old), Xabi Alonso (34), Arjen Robben (32) and Franck Ribery (33) are all in the twilight of the playing careers.
Philipp Lahm admits Bayern Munich are nearing the end of an era https://t.co/2HeT1KUZAL pic.twitter.com/AGfYUBi9J3
And the current Bayern captain insists that attentions must turn to the next generation of stars at the Allianz Arena if the present German champions are to continue their dominance of the Bundesliga.
He said: "It's a fact - we're about to pass from one generation to the next.
"With that group of players we've had a lot of success in the last few years - we put our stamp on Bayern.
"Bastian Schweinsteiger is already gone. Arjen Robben, Franck, Xabi and I: we aren't getting any younger.
"It's important for the club to think 'What's going to happen when these players, little by little, retire and move on?' It's a big challenge."
Lahm, who retired from international duty after Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil, says he will hang up his boots at the end of his current deal with his employers.
However, the one-club man did hint that he could be enticed into working with the club in a non-playing capacity when he calls time on his playing career.
Lahm added: "I can say the club is close to my heart, that I'd like to stay on at Bayern, and that I have a great relationship with management.
"Everything else will work itself out."
.@PhilippLahm: "I think @BVB will be the main competition this season. They'll be our number one rivals." 💪 ⚽� 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/jMhD2iKFGP