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Schweinsteiger against Reus move Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has advised his club not to sign Marco Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Reus seems to be the club's number one transfer target for next summer but Schweinsteiger does not feel that the Germany international, a direct rival for his position in the team, is ready to join Bayern.
"I don't think now is the right time for him to come to Munich," he told the Tz newspaper.
"We already have very good players for his position.
"There have already been times when we have signed talented youngsters and things have not worked out for them."
The 27-year-old would instead welcome the arrival of the more attack-minded Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund - another reported Bayern target.
"I personally think he is already very, very mature," said Schweinsteiger, who has played with both Gotze and Reus in the Germany national team.
"I am extremely impressed with his footballing qualities and his character."
Hyypia: Blame players, not Dutt Former Bayer Leverkusen defender Sami Hyypia says manager Robin Dutt should not be held responsible for his side's disappointing first half of the season.
Dutt is under pressure at the midway point of the season having guided the club to a modest sixth in the Bundesliga table with 26 points from 17 games.
Since Dutt announced last summer that he wanted to match if not better his predecessor Jupp Heynckes, who led the club to second last season, the fans' expectation levels have risen.
But with results not matching his ambitions, Dutt has been made the scapegoat by some fans, who have been calling for him to be dismissed over recent weeks.
However, Hyypia says such call are absurd.
"The coach is always the first person that the finger gets pointed at," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper.
"But it is the players who should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they could not do a great deal better."
Hyypia hung up his boots at the end of last season and has since been training as a coach.
As soon as he obtains his coaching badge next summer, he has been promised a position among Dutt's backroom staff.
Borussia Moenchengladbach centre-back Dante has pledged his immediate future to Lucien Favre's side.
The 28-year-old was unsettled in the off-season and convinced he would soon leave the Borussia-Park.
However, he has since gained confidence in his club and said he is keen to stay with the high-flying Bundesliga side.
"I'm happy to be here," Dante told Bild. "The important thing is to each day be happy and satisfied and to enjoy everything. It's incredibly fun to play with these guys and to be part of the team."
Dante explained that after his side only avoided relegation last season due to a narrow victory in a play-off against Bochum, he had cold feet about his situation in Germany.
His concerns have since been alleviated, however, as Gladbach finished the first half of the Bundesliga campaign fourth on the league table.
"Of course, after the close call I wanted to play abroad. But now I have second thoughts about other clubs and countries. I'm concentrating here entirely on my job," he said.
Dante extended his contract in July, with his current deal set to expire in 2014.
Wolfsburg are in discussions with Serbian club Vojvodina over the possible transfer of Slobodan Medojevic to the Volkswagen-Arena.
The 21-year-old midfielder has made an impact at Vojvodina, having been named captain of the Novi Sad-based side, and his performances have attracted the interest of Wolfsburg's Felix Magath.
"Negotiations are underway with Wolfsburg," Vojvodina president Ratko Butorovic said, according to Kicker. "In a few days we will know where we stand. We only want the best for him."
Reports suggest Medojevic would cost approximately 2.5 million euros.Wolfsburg sit 12th in the Bundesliga with 20 points, and return to action after the winter break against Cologne on January 21.
Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United.The German club have already been in touch with the player, a representative from the CSKA-AS-23 agency has said.When asked by Bild about the rumours linking the Bulgarian striker with his former club, Ivan Dobrinov, a member of the group that represents Berbatov, confirmed the link.
"It's more than a rumour. Leverkusen have it on their minds to get Berbatov," he said."There is contact, but nothing concrete yet. It all depends on United's plans."Berbatov, 30, has made just 14 appearances for United this season, and has a contract that is set to expire in the summer.He has long been linked with moves away from Old Trafford, but according to Dobrinov, has a special fondness for the club where he played from 2001-06."
The player has never forgotten Leverkusen, the club is still very dear to him. Furthermore, he has a good relationship with the leadership at Bayer."Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser said he has been in touch with Berbatov, but said that a deal is still far from complete."I would even say that the contact is friendly," he said.
"But there is certainly nothing concrete at the moment. I also read that Manchester United would like to extend his contract."On Boxing Day, Berbatov netted a hat-trick against Wigan. In addition to Leverkusen, a number of other clubs have been linked with his signing, including Tottenham and Fulham.
Skibbe cautious over European chances Hertha Berlin's new coach Michael Skibbe has set his sights on leading the club back into European competition, although he has warned that it may take several years.
Skibbe was appointed as Berlin's new coach just before Christmas after they parted company with Markus Babbel after 18 months in charge. The former Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt coach inherits a side which has ended 2011 in 11th place in the Bundesliga, just six points behind the top six, but only four above the bottom three.
Skibbe has set out his short-term plans of avoiding relegation this season while, further down the road, he believes Berlin should be challenging for a place in the Europa League. "This club still have some debts to pay off over the coming years so the initial aim is to establish the club in the Bundesliga," he told Sport1 television. "My aim is to lead the club up the league.
"Hertha are one of the clubs with the greatest traditions in Germany; they are the club from the capital and have huge potential, and that is why I am looking forward to working with Hertha. "We have the potential of being a side capable of working our way up to the top third of the table."
Hertha have the chance of qualifying for Europe even sooner by winning the DFB-Pokal this season. They reached the last eight with victory over Kaiserslautern just before Christmas and only three wins now separate them from qualification for the Europa League, but Skibbe says that is not his priority.
"You can never gamble on winning the cup," he said. "However, for the first time in years, Hertha are still in the cup at this stage and we have a home game against Borussia Monchengladbach in February and we have the chance of reaching the next round. "Our aim has therefore got to be to reach the semi-finals."
Mario Gomez has proven to be a prolific purchase for FC Bayern scoring 54 goals in just 77 apperances
Munich - In the current campaign FC Bayern's star striker Mario Gomez has proven that he hasn't lost the goal scoring touch that saw him finish as top scorer in the Bundesliga last season. The reigning titleholder already leads the way in the race for the golden boot this season having scored 16 goals at the midway stage of the campaign. Furthermore the 26-year-old has contributed a goal in the DFB Pokal, seven in the Champions League, as well as the two he has netted for the German national team.
"It doesn't get any better"
Talk of the striker becoming a potential big-money disappointment, which stayed with him during the early stages of his career with FC Bayern, have become a distant memory. The 26-year-old has since established himself as an indispensable member of die Münchner'sset-up.
"Mario isn't an outstanding talent purely based on the goals he scores, but also because he works incredibly hard on the defensive side of things. It doesn't get any better than that," praised head coach Jupp Heynckes.
Gomez himself remains fairly modest about his contribution to the record titleholders describing his role as simply being the "guy who stays up front and scores the goals."
Bayern are more than familiar with this type of player considering they had an all-time great in their side in the form of Gerd Müller during the 1960's and 70's.
Whether FCB have found another "Bomber der Nation" who is feared worldwide is yet to be seen, but Gomez is well on his way to becoming a historically revered player in German football.
Cologne managing director Claus Horstmann is confident that the club will be able to hold onto in-demand forward Lukas Podolski.
The Germany international will be out of contract at the end of next season and has been heavily linked with a move abroad in recent months, with Serie A outfit Lazio and Premier League side Arsenal both said to be keen on his services, perhaps as early as January.
However, Horstmann still believes that there is every chance that Podolski could decide to sign a new deal with his hometown club."The fundamentals are clear: Podolski has a year-and-a-half left on his contract and we want to go into the talks at an early stage - with the aim of extending this contract," he told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger.
"For Podolski, I'm optimistic that we have the chance (to re-sign him)."Horstmann also denied recent speculation that Podolski's relationship with director of sport Volker Finke had completely broken down."The two don't have to love each other but they must respect each other and trust each other," he said.
"And I have the impression that this is the case."Podolski, who has been capped 95 times by his country, has scored 29 goals in 74 games in what is his second spell with Cologne after leaving in 2006 to spend three years with Bayern Munich.
Hoffenheim have signed 18-year-old midfielder Sandro Wieser from Swiss club Basel.
Wieser has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga outfit.
"We are pleased to be able to tie down, on a long-term contract, a German-speaking player who is also a top talent,"
Hoffenheim sporting director Ernst Tanner said."He already has experience of international football with his country, despite his young age, and has already proven his potential."
"Here he will find the perfect conditions to continue his development and establish himself in the Bundesliga."
Wieser has earned 10 senior caps for Liechtenstein. A transfer fee was not disclosed.
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly held talks with Marco Reus about joining the reigning Bundesliga champions at the end of the season.
The Borussia Moenchengladbach forward, who has been in sensational form this season, has also been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
However, DerWesten, reports that after talks with Dortmund, the player is leaning towards a move to Juergen Klopp's side.
The 22-year-old Germany international was born and raised in Dortmund and was taken on by his hometown club as a youngster.
However, Reus was rejected because of his perceived physical deficiencies and was allowed to join Rot-Weiss Ahlen in 2006.
He has developed into one of the most exciting young talents in the Bundesliga over the past couple of seasons and has been capped three times by his country.
Hoeness: Bayern's future is bright
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes that the talented youngsters at the Allianz Arena are comparable to those at Barcelona.
Olic, Pranjic set to stay at Bayern
Bayern Munich's Croatian duo Ivica Olic and Danijel Pranjic have revealed they are set to stay at the Allianz Arena beyond the January transfer window.
Zwanziger calls for end to feud
The outgoing president of the German Football Association, Dr Theo Zwanziger, has told Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder and former Germany coach Berti Vogts to end their feud.
Freiburg sack Marcus Sorg
Bundesliga strugglers Freiburg have parted company with coach Marcus Sorg only days before the team regroups for training after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Hoeness wants Bayern European glory
President Uli Hoeness will not mind if Bayern Munich do not win the Bundesliga this season - just as long as they clinch the Champions League.
Ibisevic rules out January move
Vedad Ibisevic has ruled out a January switch away from Hoffenheim, with his intention to see out the season in Germany.
Lehmann: Neuer will suppress a generation
Ex-Arsenal custodian Jens Lehmann has revealed that no other goalkeeper will be able to dislodge national number one Manuel Neuer from the team for “a generation.”
Kirsten: Gomez better than Ronaldo
Ex-Germany international Ulf Kirsten believes Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez is currently the best striker in the world, even ranking him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Farfan: I would die for Schalke
Schalke striker Jefferson Farfan has expressed his disappointment not to be handed a new deal but insists he would still 'die for the club'.
Hoffenheim sign Wieser from Basel
Hoffenheim have signed Liechtenstein international Sandro Wieser from Swiss champions Basel on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Leverkusen rule out Berbatov return 29 December 2011
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser has labelled reports linking Dimitar Berbatov with a return to the BayArena as 'pure speculation'.
The Bulgarian's agent said on Tuesday that Leverkusen had enquired about the Manchester United forward returning to the Bundesliga club.But Holzhauser played down the reports, and said they would not consider Berbatov while he remained under contact at Old Trafford.
"This is pure speculation," he told DPA."Also, we do not want to get involved as the Bulgarian is currently under contract with Manchester United."Reports have also suggested Holzhauser has been in touch with Berbatov, who left Leverkusen in 2006 to join Tottenham, before moving to United two years later.
Holzhauser said he had spoken to Berbatov, but the discussions were not about a potential move."I view this (the speculation) with some displeasure," Holzhauser said."The contact between Berbatov and I was only based on a friendly nature."
In his most recent match, United's 5-0 drubbing of Wigan on Monday, 30-year-old Berbatov netted a hat-trick.In addition to Leverkusen, a number of other clubs have been linked with his signing, including Tottenham and Fulham.
Freiburg sack Sorg, appoint Streich 30 December 2011
Freiburg have fired coach Marcus Sorg and appointed Christian Streich as his replacement, the Bundesliga club announced on Thursday.
Sorg had only been in charge since July, following the departure of Robin Dutt, who left for Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season.
However, just three wins in 17 matches have seen Freiburg plummet to the bottom of the Bundesliga table, forcing club directors to make a change.
"Marcus Sorg is a special person. We have nothing to blame him for, he has done a good job," sporting director Dirk Dufner said at a press conference.
"We decided several days ago, with the team, that we no longer want to work with certain players. But we also want to set an impetus on the coaching position."
The club recently released Yacine Abdessadki, Heiko Butscher, Felix Bastians, Kisho Yano, Maximilian Nicu, and Manuel Salz.Streich added:
"If we turn a couple small screws, have a few things come together differently, we can achieve our goal of avoiding relegation."
Lehmann: Neuer will suppress a generation Ex-Arsenal custodian Jens Lehmann has revealed that no other goalkeeper will be able to dislodge national number one Manuel Neuer from the team for “a generation.”
According to 42-year-old Lehmann, young and upcoming goalkeepers such as Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno are highly unlikely to usurp Bayern Munich custodian Neuer from the Germany first eleven.
"He will probably suppress a generation. Over the next eight to 10 years, under normal circumstances, no-one will be able to come out from under his shadow," Lehmann told Sport-Bild.
"He is number one. He thinks well, is relatively consistent and is also a great athlete. No one can hold a candle to him."
Neuer, who made his Germany debut in June 2009, has already amassed 25 caps and is poised to be the number one choice for Joachim Low's side ahead of the Euro 2012 competition in Poland and Ukraine.
Schweinsteiger: I'm not like Xavi, Iniesta
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has rejected comparisons with Barcelona duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Hoeness: Bayern's future is bright
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes that the talented youngsters at the Allianz Arena are comparable to those at Barcelona.
Olic, Pranjic set to stay at Bayern
Bayern Munich's Croatian duo Ivica Olic and Danijel Pranjic have revealed they are set to stay at the Allianz Arena beyond the January transfer window.
Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes will spend a week in Qatar bringing his players back up to speed...
...While Borussia Dortmund will fly off to La Manga in Spain
On January 20th Borussia Mönchengladbach host Bayern for the opening match of the second half of the season
Munich - FC Bayern Munich are trying to stay one step ahead of the chasing pack by jetting off to their winter training camp days ahead of their Bundesliga rivals. The Bavarians fly to their base in Qatar on Monday, before heading over to India for a warm-up game ahead of kicking off Matchday 18 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on January 20th. Most of the rest of the league will have a few more days of winter before flying to sunnier climes for their own training camps, though 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Augsburg are the only sides to remain in Germany for their preparations. Hertha BSC Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg will be the last clubs to resume training, when they restart on Saturday 7th January.
Five teams in Turkey
New Hertha boss Michael Skibbe will meet his players for the first time this week, before flying back to Turkey to begin assessing his players. Th 46-year-old was coach at Turkish first division side Eskisehirspor prior to taking over at the capital club. Borussia Mönchengladbach, SV Werder Bremen, VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Nuremberg are also travelling to Turkey for their training camps.
New SC Freiburg coach Christian Streich must also get to know his charges, but the south-western side will be heading to Spain, which will also be heavily populated by Bundesliga clubs, with Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, 1. FSV Mainz 05 and 1. FC Kaiserslautern all heading to Spanish soil. Meanwhile Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Hannover 96 and 1. FC Köln will visit the Portuguese side of the Iberian Peninsula.
MIddle East also popular
DFB Cup holders FC Schalke 04 and 2009 Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg will be heading slightly further afield, with the Royal Blues likewise flying to Qatar, while Felix Magath will presumably help his players shed any excess Christmas weight by putting them through their paces in the heat of Dubai.
Holger Stanislawski took charge of 1899 Hoffenheim last summer
Sinsheim - 1899 Hoffenheim have strengthened their back row for the second season-half with the signing of Stefan Thesker from FC Twente Enschede.
The 20-year-old central defender was latterly on loan to Fortuna Sittard, for whom he turned out 15 times in the Dutch second flight. "In Stefan Thesker we've acquired a further talented player with a lot of potential, who we can bring along at the right pace here", Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski said.
"A quality player" Sporting director Ernst Tanner added, "Stefan Thesker is an up-and-coming German player from one of the best football academies in the Netherlands, who will continue to develop his skills with us. I believe he's a quality player and wish him all the best getting started here."
Gylfi Sigurdsson meanwhile is heading to Welsh outfit Swansea City in the Premier League on loan for the rest of the season. The 22-year-old Icelandic attacking midfielder joined Hoffenheim from English club Reading in 2010 and has played 36 times in the Bundesliga, scoring nine goals and laying on four more.
"Gylfi missed most of the pre-season preparations due to injury and never really got going subsequently. Our hope is that this loan arrangement will provide him with the necessary match practice to get back to his form of old", Tanner explained
Busy Wolfsburg snap up duo
Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath has added two more players to his squad with the arrival of Felipe Lopes from Nacional and Ibrahim Sissoko.
Gladbach happy at Ring signing
Borussia Monchengladbach hope they have found the man to replace Marco Reus by signing Finland international Alexander Ring on loan from HJK Helsinki.
Report: Neustadter to join Schalke Borussia Monchengladbach anchorman Roman Neustadter is primed to join Schalke in the summer, according to a report from Der Westen.
Bayern stars lament Reus failings
Bayern Munich duo Franck Ribery and Holger Badstuber are disappointed Borussia Monchengladbach young star Marco Reus will not be joining them this summer.
Huntelaar open to Schalke extension
In-demand Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar reveals he is keen on prolonging his stay with the Bundesliga outfit.
Cologne bracing for Podolski leave
Cologne coach Stale Solbakken has confessed that a replacement for Lukas Podolski will have to be looked for, among speculation that the striker could leave the club.
Robben eyes new Bayern deal
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has expressed interest in extending his contract with the club.
Jones handed eight week ban
Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones has been banned for eight weeks by the German Football Association for stamping on Borussia Monchengladbach's Marco Reus.
Hoeness: Bayern will be richest soon
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness predicts that his side will become the most successful club in the world in terms of financial status in a few years.
Dortmund confirm Reus signing
Germany international Marco Reus has agreed to join Borussia Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the season.
Zorc: Gotze not leaving anytime soon
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc insists young star Mario Gotze will be staying at the club for the forseeable future.
Wolfsburg confirm Vierinha signing
Wolfsburg have once again delved into the transfer market by making Portuguese forward Vieirinha their fourth new signing this winter.
Boekamp to join Hertha ranks
Hertha Berlin have reached an agreement with Turkish club Eskisehirspor for the long-time assistant of Michael Skibbe, Edwin Boekamp, to join him at the Bundesliga club.
Rafinha facing visa problems
Bayern Munich full-back Rafinha will arrive late at his club's training camp in Qatar due to a problem with his visa.
