Ziege Makes Tough Keller Call
(Soccer365.com) - Borussia Mönchengladbach technical director Christian Ziege says that opting to let veteran backstop Kasey Keller leave on a free this summer was one of those awful decisions that a man in position has to make.
The club announced Wednesday that the U.S. international’s contract would be allowed to lapse, kicking off instant speculation over an MLS move.
"Kasey is a special case," Ziege told the club website. "We've been friends since we were at Tottenham together, which didn't make it any easier for me."
"Things were made even more difficult by the fact that it was unclear whether Kasey could see himself playing in the second division, so it came as something as a surprise when he indicated that he was prepared to stay."
"We had to assume he would no longer be available if we were relegated and so we decided to make the break in goal as well, not least because of the age issue," he explained.
"Christofer Heimeroth will be our number one next season - he has our trust and has shown his quality in the last few games."
Keller, currently recovering from a muscle tear in his right leg, is hoping to be fit for the season’s last match against nearby rivals VfL Bochum.
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
Comments
I'm surprised Keller has lasted this long. He should just bow out with grace. He should have done it long ago. Even when he was younger & starting for the US national team there were other keeper's more qualified for the job but the US national program has always been about politics. He was lucky enough to have a professioanl career as long as he did. Now he should just fade away.
Posted by: Dave | May 10, 2007 04:55 PM
Yes I agree Dave he should just leak. Don't make a big deal about it just stop playing pro soccer. Keller was a great keeper though he is getting too old.
Posted by: Keeeper King | May 10, 2007 05:23 PM
Keller was chosen to be Captain of a Bundesliga team this year. And though the team is now relegated, they have one of the best Goals Against rates in the league, just over 1 goal per game with Keller between the posts. They're being relegated because they barely scored at all, which is hardly Keller's fault. Same story as the US crashing out of the World Cup...they couldn't score. So to downplay Keller's skill, even at 37 years old, is ignoring a lot of facts. He wasn't lucky, he's good.
Keller should come back to the US and play in the MLS. He'd be the one of the league's top keeper for a couple years. Besides he's as old as Kahn, but it's not like he's been going around causing trouble and making ridiculous statements (like Kahn). He's been very loyal and performing well for a struggling team.
Posted by: kicks22 | May 10, 2007 05:38 PM
yeah kellar is a amazing goalie
Posted by: no name | May 11, 2007 02:41 PM
Exactly kicks... The comments above can only be explained by knowing nothing of Keller's career.
Millwall, Leicester City (when they were in the prem and won the league cup), Tottenham, Gladbach(Captained the squad), etc. 4 World Cups, etc. Keller has spent his entire career in Europe and has played in Spain, England and Germany.... yeah, sounds like a guy who's "lucky" to have had a career....
The man is 37 and has averaged barely over 1 goal per game for virtually his entire career of top flight European football, and was still among the league leaders in the Bundesliga this season, which says a lot when his team is being relegated. If Gladbach could ever score, they Keller's performance would have been more than enough to keep them in good stead.
Sure he's getting up there in age, and might have to start thinking about retirement or MLS, but its ridiculous to pretend he hasn't been a very high quality keeper for a long time.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 11, 2007 05:11 PM
I never said he wasn't good I just said he was not as good as he used to be and that he was getting to old.
Posted by: Keeeper King | May 13, 2007 07:52 PM
Hi
Posted by: s | May 14, 2007 04:49 PM
Goalkeepers have a potential to stay competitive alot longer than field players. He will find another team and if he stays healthy could easily do another 2-3 years. I can still recall Dino Zoff playing in the world cup at 40 for Italy and I believe they won. Its also a position that benefits greatly from experience and Keller has alot of that.
Posted by: Chris | May 15, 2007 09:17 AM
It's a pity that Kasey Keller is leaving the Bundesliga.Although he and Kahn could be considered as the "granny-keepers" of the international football ( as well as dutchman E van der Saar), I would be thankful to see him play in some european league for another season or more.
Posted by: JM PFAFF | June 1, 2007 05:50 PM
Super jzzaed about getting that know-how.
Posted by: Morrie | August 2, 2011 10:42 PM