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Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has criticised the Bundesliga's decision to dramatically shorten the league's winter break.

This season is the last time that German clubs will enjoy a seven-week break between early December and late January. From the 2009-10 season, that time will be halved to just three-and-a-half weeks in order to avoid fixture congestion.

However, Bayern chief Hoeness believes that German clubs will suffer in European competitions as a result.

He said: "I consider the shortening of the winter break a mistake, which will damage German football.

Bayern have just returned from two weeks in Dubai, where they attended a training camp and played some friendly matches.

Hoeness expressed his fears that in the future trips such as this would not be possible, adding: "In the future, winter training breaks will not be possible, and the Bundesliga will lose one of the few advantages it has in comparison to its international rivals.

"Up until now we had the advantage that German clubs could go into the knockout stages of the European competitions fully rested."

Eurosport