Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm has hit back at criticism from club president Franz Beckenbauer by calling him two-faced.

Beckenbauer had voiced his disapproval of several Bayern players, including Lahm, for not trying as hard as they did in the 2006 World Cup via his weekly column in a leading German newspaper.

Lahm told Kicker magazine: "There has got to be two Beckenbauers - one who writes in the newspaper and the other who is president of FC Bayern.

"The president seems to be happy with me, but the columnist is apparently less so.

"I don't think I am a problem case, but then which Beckenbauer was it: the president or the columnist?"

Lahm was the only German player to play every minute of their 2006 World Cup campaign, and the left-back was named in the UEFA Team of the Year.

The following season, however, Bayern's domestic form suffered and they failed to secure a place in the 2007/08 Champions Leeague.

The 24-year-old added: "I am satisfied with my development. I am ambitious and always want to improve and play in a team who can win the championship and Champions League."

Eurosport