Bayern: No 11th Hour Ballack Bid
(Soccer365.com) - Bayern Munich have given up hope of retaining the services of midfielder Michael Ballack, according to the club's general manager Uli Hoeness.
The Germany international is out of contract this summer and looks certain to leave Bayern at the end of the season. Chelsea is his likely destination, with Ballack and his advisors known to be deep in negotiations with the English champions. And Hoeness has confirmed Bayern will not be making an 11th-hour bid to keep their star player.
"From our point of view, it is clear he will leave the club so there are no more efforts to keep him," he told PA Sport. "It is a professional situation. His contract is finished so it is up to him to decide."
Hoeness has come under fire from Ballack's agent Michael Becker for claiming the midfielder is only leaving Bayern for financial reasons.
Becker claims Ballack is making a "sports-related decision" and has rubbished suggestions the potential transfer was all about money.
Hoeness has maintained his stance, however, although he insists his opinions do not belittle Ballack's achievements at the club.
"I have not criticised Michael Ballack but only made an observation," he added. "I am not at all disappointed in him or his behaviour. That is totally normal.
"It is totally wrong to describe us as being angry or anything like that. It is totally the opposite.
"He did wonderfully here and now it is time to get a new club and maybe get more money. People who know me will understand that I don't think it's a problem what I said. You need to stay with the facts."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
Comments
Great player, but what kind of impact is Ballack going to have on Chelsea's chemistry.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 13, 2006 10:16 PM
the impact on chelsea's chemistry is that he'll make an outstanding central midfield team with lampard...believe me, coaches understand something about soccer, they always ask for players who can play well with the team (except for real madrid who buys players who bring money to the team like david beckham)
Posted by: Anonymous | April 17, 2006 03:41 PM
ballack will shread in the premiership! chealsea should paly 4-3-3 (ballack, lamaprd and claud) in the middle! DAMN that would be unstoppeble!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 18, 2006 01:29 AM
Perfect awnser! That really gets to the heart of it!
Posted by: Matee | January 7, 2012 01:51 AM