Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has said he believes striker Lukas Podolski made the wrong decision when he joined Inter Milan on loan from Arsenal in the winter transfer window.
Podolski has failed to make an impression for the Nerazzurri and is yet to score a goal since his move to the Serie A club.
Inter look increasingly unlikely to exercise their option to permanently sign the 29-year-old, whose performances have been criticised, and Bierhoff believes he must consider his next move carefully.
"Lukas needs to feel the faith of those around him," he told Bild am Sonntag.
"He's an emotional guy. When I heard that he was going to Milan for six months, I felt bad for him -- I got a stomach ache.
"I know it's not easy to change club in January and football's not the same in every country.
"I would advise him to go to a club where he enjoys the faith of everybody and where he has the chance to play with continuity.
"Going to a top club could mean that he finds teammates fighting with him for a starting berth. Lukas needs to feel he's part of the family. He needs to be in a relaxed environment to do well."
He said Podolski should try to find a club "where he has the feeling he'll be looked after well and play constantly."