Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Robert Lewandowski can break the 48-year-old Bundesliga record of 40 goals in one season after the Polish striker continued his remarkable start to the campaign after scoring twice against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Bayern put a rocky week behind them by thrashing title rivals Dortmund 4-0 at the Allianz Arena, an ideal response to last Saturday's 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt that proved to be the last game in charge for Niko Kovac.
Lewandowski scored twice, with Serge Gnabry also on the scoresheet, while a Mats Hummels own goal against his former team sealed the rout.
The striker's double takes his Bundesliga tally to 16 goals in 11 games while maintaining his streak of scoring in every league game this season. In all competitions, Lewandowski has 23 goals from 17 games, leading Rummenigge to believe that Gerd Muller's long-standing record could be in sight for the Bayern forward.
"I thought Gerd's record would last for eternity and never be broken, but I believe [Lewandowski] is the first who can really put it in danger," Rummenigge told reporters in Munich. "It is astounding that 'Lewy' keeps scoring one or two goals in every game."
The Poland captain's biggest obstacle could be his fitness, with Bayern's interim manager Hansi Flick revealing how Lewandowski requires surgery on a groin injury - although it is not an urgent matter.
"It is his decision when to have the operation," Flick said. "He isn't in any pain, but it is clear he needs surgery.
"I believe he is having such a run that, in his shoes, I would also have a good think about when to have it done.
"For me, he is the best striker in the world and it is crazy the way he performs for us. He is an absolute role model."
Bayern appear to have trouble finding a replacement for Kovac after Arsene Wenger on Saturday contradicted their claims they turned him down as Kovac's successor.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain's Thomas Tuchel have stated they will not join Bayern this season.
Nevertheless, Bayern's bosses are pleased with Flick, who will be in charge for their next game at Fortuna Duesseldorf on November 23 - and possibly longer.
"We will keep working calmly with him," said Rummenigge, while club president Uli Hoeness, who steps down next Friday, implied his deal could be extended.
"I can't imagine Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was only talking about one more week."
