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Bernd Leno: Bayer Leverkusen need Michael Ballack against Barcelona in the Champions League
The young shot-stopper has defended his team-mate, who has come under criticism this season, and stated that his experience will be important when the side meet the Catalans
Bayern Munich have not contacted me about Jan Vertonghen, says agent of Ajax defender
The Belgium international's representative has stressed that the Bavarians have yet to make a move, but added that there is plenty of interest in the centre-back
Bruno Labbadia: Stuttgart have nothing to fear against Bayern Munich
The Schwaben's head coach praised the Bavarian giants and the quality they possess in their squad, but feels his players can get a positive result in Wednesday's game
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes sees Stuttgart clash as perfect opportunity to get back on track
The Bavarians have been struggling to find their best form after the winter break, and the coach sees the DFB Pokal game as a chance to return to winning ways
Official: Japanese striker Kisho Yano leaves Freiburg to join Albirex Niigata
The former Albirex Niigata striker opted against a move to Switzerland despite talk of a trial and has returned to his old J-League club
Forward Kisho Yano believes he is returning to Japan a better player despite spending 18 months warming the bench in Germany's Bundesliga.
The Freiburg flop, who has rejoined J-League club Albirex Niigata, told local media: "I wanted more playing time so I decided to return to Japan.
I don't want to waste my 18 months of experience in Germany."I want to show how I've improved as a player," added the 27-year-old, who failed to make a single appearance for Freiburg this season.
The 27-year-old, a member of the Japan squad who reached the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, had been released by the German club late last year.
He scored 34 goals in 191 appearances for Albirex before moving to Europe after the World Cup.
Bayern Munich confirm Bastian Schweinsteiger faces injury lay-off
The Germany international has picked up an ankle injury and will be out of action for several weeks as a result as the Bavarians look to challenge for the Bundesliga title
Hoffenheim sack coach Holger Stanislawski
The Bundesliga outfit have fired the 42-year-old following recent poor form in the league and elimination from the DFB Pokal at the hands of lower league opposition
Official: Bayern Munich confirm signing of Xherdan Shaqiri
The Bundesliga giants have revealed that they have reached an agreement with Basel and the young winger, who will move to the Allianz Arena at the end of the season
Shinji Okazaki reflects on Stuttgart struggles after DFB-Pokal exit on Wednesday
The Samurai Blue regular was pulled just before the hour mark after a poor display against Bayern Munich in which his heavy touch wasted many potential chances
Oliver Baumann's agent: No contact with Bayern Munich
With Hans-Jorg Butt expected to retire at the end of the season, the Bavarians are likely to be looking for a high-quality understudy to regular No.1 Manuel Neuer come the summer
Koln to offer Podolski new lucrative deal - report
The Germany international is out of contract in June 2013 and has been linked with a move abroad but he has a strong attachment with his hometown club
After defeat against Fürth in the DFB Cup, both club and coach agreed to bring a premature end to their cooperation
Sinsheim - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and head coach Holger Stanislawski have parted ways with immediate effect.
Following Wednesday night's DFB Cup exit at the hands of Bundesliga 2 side Greuther Fürth, both parties agreed upon consultation with the board to dissolve the 42-year-old's contract, originally set to expire on 30 June 2014.
Assistants also leave
General manager Ernst Tanner explained: "We think very highly of Holger Stanislawski as both a person and a coach, but after long, constructive discussions we came to the conclusion that it would be best for everyone involved if we went our separate ways. Recent results were certainly a determining factor."
Prior to the Fürth defeat, Stanislawski had led 1899 to just one win from their last ten Bundesliga matches. His assistants Andre Trulsen and Klaus-Peter Nemet also leave the club.
Juan Arango pens two-year contract extension with Monchengladbach
The Venezuelan midfielder has ended speculation over his future by signing a deal that will keep him at the high-flying Bundesliga side until 2014
Moritz Leitner: It's always nice to annoy Bayern Munich
In an interview, the cheeky youngster and native Bavarian expressed his appreciation of Dortmund and delight in causing trouble for his hometown's most successful club
Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery: Thomas Muller is best on the right
The Germany star was deployed on the wing for the cup clash with Stuttgart, a role the Frenchman feels his team-mate excels in, despite the presence of Arjen Robben
Official: Hoffenheim appoint Markus Babbel as new head coach
Just a day after Holger Stanislawski was given the chop, the Sinsheim side have found a new trainer, who penned a contract with his new employers until 2014
Schalke boss Huub Stevens: I hope we learn from our mistakes against Monchengladbach
The Dutchman believes his side will have no chance of victory if they put in a repeat performance on Saturday, but insists a defeat won't end his side's season
Shaqiri determined to succeed at Bayern Munich
The young Switzerland international is pleased with his summer switch to the Allianz Arena from Basel after being linked to numerous clubs over the last few years
Robert Lewandowski would leave Borussia Dortmund for a 'big club', says agent
The Poland international has been in sensational goalscoring form for the Bundesliga champions this season and his representative is talking up a move to England
Podolski: Money will not decide if I stay at Koln
The Germany international, who is out of contract at the end of next season, has hinted that a reported €1.7m pay rise would not be enough to keep him at his hometown club
Ivica Olic agrees deal with Wolfsburg - report
The Croatian striker has reportedly committed his future to the 2008-09 Bundesliga champions after growing unhappy with his peripheral role at Bayern
Bundesliga preview: Dortmund look to extend lead 9 February 2012
Outright leaders Borussia Dortmund host Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday, while Schalke and Borussia Moenchengladbach clash.Unbeaten in 14 league matches, Juergen Klopp's Dortmund moved two points clear at the summit after a 2-0 win over Nuremberg last week.They host Robin Dutt's seventh-placed Leverkusen at Westfalenstadion on Saturday, and will be eyeing an even greater advantage in first place.
Pole Robert Lewandowski (14 league goals) has impressed for Dortmund, who could open up a gap of five points if results go their way again.Bayern Munich let first place slip after only taking a point against Hamburg, and will look to bounce back when they host Kaiserslautern at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
A 2-0 DFB Pokal win over Stuttgart on Wednesday may have eased Jupp Heynckes' worries, and he would have been pleased to see Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez on the scoresheet.The 66-year-old coach said he remained confident despite taking just four points from a possible seven since season resumed.
"Dortmund have come out of the starting blocks better (after the break), but I have full confidence in my team (and) my players," Heynckes said earlier this week. "We have very good attacking players. It is a matter of time before they explode."Meanwhile, Schalke visit Moenchengladbach in a battle between third and fourth place respectively.
Lucien Favre's Gladbach players have been the surprise package this campaign, and enter the clash on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.Schalke, led by the dangerous strike combination of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (16 league goals) and Raul (10), are third after losing ground following a 1-1 draw at home to Mainz on Saturday.
In other matches, fifth-placed Werder Bremen host a Hoffenheim side that suffered a shock exit against 2.Bundesliga outfit Greuther Fuerth in the DFB Pokal.After the loss, eight-placed Hoffenheim parted ways with coach Holger Stanislawski.Hannover will look to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches when they visit Mainz, while Wolfsburg host lowly Freiburg on Friday.
Only seven points separates eighth-placed Hoffenheim and bottom side Freiburg in a congested lower half of the table.Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin, also positioned in the bottom half of the standings, meet on Saturday, while Augsburg take on Nuremberg, and Cologne face Hamburg.
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Stale Solbakken
If Fabio Capello felt insulted from interference from the English FA, the sensitive Italian is best advised to turn down any job offers from the Bundesliga, where coaches are used to regular doses of meddling, big egos and snipes at key players from above. This is a nervy time of the season. Mid-table security can quickly turn into a relegation dogfight. Coaches from Cologne in the west, Hoffenheim in the south, Hanover 96 in the north and Hertha Berlin in the east are feeling the heat from nervy sports directors and presidents.
A successful coach-sporting director relationship is key to success in Germany. Here's how it is should work: sporting directors manage transfers, salaries and business affairs leaving ''Der Trainer'' to coach the team and pick team. Sounds simple, but as any Cologne fan will tell you, easier said than done.
Coach Stale Solbakken is having a decent first season in Germany but a very public slanging match with sports director Volker Finke leaves the job of one of the two men on the line. The Norwegian was down in the dumps when Lukas Podolski picked up a serious injury, but he was left livid when Finke replaced the German international with Jong Tae-Se, the ''People's Rooney'' who came to international attention during the World Cup for blubbering hopelessly during North Korea's national anthem.
Podolski Jong most certainly is not. Cologne are notorious for behind the scenes spats but the purchase of Jong is "very dramatic, even by Cologne's standards," Solbakken fumed. ''There is only one opinion when it comes to the team and that is mine," he told Kicker magazine. "The director of sport has responsibilities in other areas, in which he has the final word."
And that might have been Solbakken's final word as Cologne coach before a precarious trip to Kaiserslautern at the weekend. Defeat could have been the perfect excuse for Finke to wield the axe. As expected, the match at the Fritz Walter Stadion was a drab, niggly affair. The sole surprise was that only one player, Kaiserslautern's new signing Ariel Borysiuk, was sent off.
Temperatures reaches minus 8 degrees and it seemed like hell would freeze over before a goal would be scored. Cue Solbakken's masterstroke. With Jong shivering on the bench, Der Trainer brought on two other forwards, a Swedish rookie and a free transfer from famed Albanian team Flamurtari Vlore. When former Flamurtari forward Odise Roshi popped up with the winner, ''I told you so'' was written all over the Solbakken's face.
Solbakken survived the weekend but the already strained relations between Holger Stanislawski and his Hoffenheim sporting director Ernst Tanner broke down completely after a 2-2 draw against minnows Augsburg. Eighth place is just not good enough for Tanner, who is a hard man to please - last season he criticized coach Marco Pezzaiuoli for not having enough charisma before showing him the door.
While Tanner is quick to attack personality, Hanover 96 president Martin Kind has gone beyond, making a startling criticism of the girth of his best-paid player. Ivorian forward Didier Ya Konan was rewarded for a stellar season with a lucrative three-year contract but Kind now has regrets. Ya Konan's goals (14 of them last season) have been replaced, it seems, by a life of luxury and impotence in front of goal.
"After his contract extension, he has started to take things easy,'' Kind rued. "Now he is overweight and has pretty cars. It all started when he signed a new contract.'' Coach Mirko Slomka, who temporarily resigned last season after a spat with Kind, was not amused. But for sporting directors and president alike, the limited role of coaches makes them easily expendable.
In the east, Hertha Berlin sporting director Michael Preetz had enough of Markus Babbel's hesitation over a new contract and fired the former Bayern, Liverpool and Stuttgart man just before Christmas. At the time, it didn't seem too much of a risk with Hertha comfortably in mid-table. But when Never Mind The Ballacks spoke to former German international Steffen Freund, who now manages Germany's under-16 team and lives near the capital, alarm bells rang.
Freund sensed the Berlin-based media were ready to pounce on any mistake made by new coach Michael Skibbe and feared Hertha could be sucked into a relegation dogfight. That seemed overly pessimistic at the time but three defeats later and The Old Lady of German football are only two points off the relegation play-off place.
Babbel, like Stanislawski, might have the last laugh: while both will be confident of finding work elsewhere, a failed stint as sporting director can often be the final curtain of a promising career.
Dortmund's Kagawa: First-half goal made things much easier for us
The Japan international netted the decisive goal in Saturday's Bundesliga victory over Bayer Leverkusen but said they should've had more than one
Ivica Olic confirms he is ready to leave Bayern Munich
The Croatian admits his three-year spell in Bavaria is coming to an end after being frustrated with his current situation, but wishes his future could have been sorted far sooner
Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp: We deserved to defeat Bayer Leverkusen
The trainer was pleased that his team managed to bag the three points as the reigning German champions maintained their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes: We showed some very good football against Kaiserslautern
The trainer hailed his team's second-half performance against Marco Kurz's men, reserving special praise for his players' efforts to keep a clean sheet
Jurgen Klopp is already Dortmund's second-most successful coach - but can he challenge the legendary Ottmar Hitzfeld?
BVB's victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday saw 'Kloppo' draw level with Matthias Sammer for second-most wins as the Ruhr side's trainer.
Rainer Bonhof: Juan Arango is better than Gunter Netzer
The Gladbach official is of the opinion that the Venezuelan, who recently signed a new contract, has actually surpassed the legendary Germany international
Ribery reminisces about affair: I was an idiot back then
The flamboyant winger is ashamed of his misdeeds from the recent past and insisted that he has moved on from his immature behaviour and is now more stable
Werder Bremen's Wesley closes on Palmeiras switch
The two clubs reportedly agreed a fee of €6 million for the twice-capped Brazil international but the deal was held up as Bremen waited for certain financial guarantees to met.
Bayern Munich to offer Pope Benedict XVI honorary membership
Bayern supremo Uli Hoeness would not hesitate to bring in support from the Vatican as his side look to make a bid for success on three fronts
Agent reveals Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs interested in Javi Garcia
The Spaniard's representative said that several teams in Europe are keeping tabs on his client and revealed that a summer exit is possible
Bayern Munich defender Breno to undergo knee surgery
The Brazilian's miserable campaign continues to get worse as he prepares for another operation to try and rid himself of the problem once and for all
Bundesliga wrap: Dortmund keep Bayern at bay 12 February 2012
Borussia Dortmund maintained their two-point lead atop the Bundesliga on Saturday, while Bayern Munich also won.A 45th-minute goal from Shinji Kagawa saw Juergen Klopp's Dortmund extend their unbeaten league run to 15 matches with a 1-0 victory at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Japan midfielder Kagawa fired home from a tight angle on the stroke of half-time, his fourth goal from as many games in all competitions.But the champions remain just two points clear after Bayern registered a 2-0 victory at home to Kaiserslautern.Mario Gomez struck his 18th league goal of the campaign, getting to the near post and turning in a cross from Franck Ribery on six minutes.
Jupp Heynckes' men looked the better side throughout the encounter and got a deserved second when Thomas Mueller headed in a Toni Kroos free-kick on the half-hour.Later, Borussia Moenchengladbach returned to third place, three points back from Dortmund, courtesy of a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Schalke, who drop to fourth.
Marco Reus eluded defender Benedikt Howedes to open the scoring with a shot past Schalke goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall just two minutes into the match at Borussia-Park. Mike Hanke rounded off a flowing move to double the lead in the 15th minute.And Venezuela international Juan Arango ended the match as a contest after just 32 minutes, when he made it 3-0 from a well-worked indirect free-kick.
Elsewhere, Markus Babbel was almost given a dream start as Hoffenheim boss before his side conceded late to draw 1-1 at Werder Bremen.Dane Jannik Vestergaard netted after a Sebastian Rudy corner in the fourth minute, giving the visitors an ideal start.But Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic struck late in the encounter for Bremen.
Stuttgart bounced back from Wednesday's DFB Pokal loss to Bayern Munich with a 5-0 thrashing of Hertha Berlin.Austria forward Martin Harnik's hat-trick, and goals from Vedad ibisevic and Shinji Okazaki, led Stuttgart to the resounding win.Elsewhere, Mohamed Zidan and Artur Sobiech exchanged goals as Mainz and Hannover played out a 1-1 draw.
Ribery reminisces about affair: I was an idiot back then The flamboyant winger is ashamed of his misdeeds from the recent past and insisted that he has moved on from his immature behaviour and is now more stable
Feb 11, 2012 3:15:00 PM
By Vasil Kotsev
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery regrets getting involved in an affair with under-age prostitute Zahia Dehar in 2009.
The 28-year-old and other members of the France national team were embroiled in the sex scandal, however, after a prolonged and well-publicised trial all the players escaped heavy sentences.
Ribery believes that he has matured since then and is now calmer and less naive.
"I was the boy next door who always knew what it meant to have no money. That changed when I turned professional. I was crazy," he told L'Equipe.
When asked about his affair with Dehar, Ribery was self-critical.
"I was such an idiot like never before! Now, however, I am less naive, less spontaneous.
"Everything has gone in the right direction for me. In Munich I burst back to form, people smile at me and pat me on the shoulder.
Ribery has made 19 appearances for the Bavarians this season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.
Franz Beckenbauer hits out at 'selfish' Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben
The Germany legend has voiced his opinion that the Dutch winger is not a team player, and feels he should be more grateful towards the other members of the Allianz Arena side
Feb 13, 2012 9:30:00 AM
By Stefan Coerts
Former Germany international Franz Beckenbauer has hit out at Bayern Munich attacker Arjen Robben for being too selfish.
The 66-year-old former sweeper feels that the Netherlands winger should be more grateful toward his team-mates when he scores, rather than looking to celebrate with his family in the stands.
"Robben is a selfish player just like many others," Beckenbauer said to Sky 90.
"His reaction alone after a good action or a goal; he does not thank the person who gave the assist, but runs toward the stands to look for his family. That way the team has to run after him again.
"There will come a moment where his team-mates will think: 'If I give you the ball and don't get the recognition for it, come and get the ball yourself next time.'
"He should think more about the team that he currently does," the 1974 World Cup winner concluded.
Robben has scored five goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern this term, but has not had a regular run in the side due to injuries.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc: We could have signed Lamela
The Bundesliga champions considered signing the attacking midfielder last summer but instead opted to wait for Borussia Monchengladbach's Marco Reus to become available
Hamburg keeping tabs on Kevin Trapp - report
Thorsten Fink's side have been widely linked with a new goalkeeper and could move for the Germany Under-21 star, should his club be relegated
Shinji Kagawa keen to extend Borussia Dortmund stay
The 22-year-old's current deal is set to expire in June 2013, but he is hoping to prolong his stay at Signal Iduna Park
Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller thanks fans for support following goal against Kaiserslautern
The 22-year-old had failed to score in the Bundesliga since September, and has now voiced his gratitude to the Allianz Arena faithful after ending the drought
Franz Beckenbauer hits out at 'selfish' Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben
The Germany legend has voiced his opinion that the Dutch winger is not a team player, and feels he should be more grateful towards the other members of the Allianz Arena side
Bayern Munich keeping tabs on Manchester City wonderkid John Guidetti - report
The Citizens-owned Swedish youngster has been in impressive form on loan at Feyenoord, and his good performances have resulted in the interest of the Bundesliga giants
Japanese in Europe: Miyaichi makes Premier League debut while both Shinjis score in Bundesliga
A positive weekend for Japanese players saw Ryo Miyaichi impress in his Bolton debut, while Shinji Kagawa scored a clutch goal for high-flying Dortmund and Gotoku Sakai debuted
Rummenigge insists Bayern Munich still want to renew Robben's contract
The attacker's current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2013, but the club are desperate to hold on to him for a longer period
Jerome Boateng hopes Takashi Usami will stay at Bayern Munich
The Germany international has taken the time to praise the young attacker, and was pleased with his side's display against Kaiserslautern
Podolski disillusioned by Koln's failure to progress
The Germany international, who is out of contract at the end of the next season, is feeling aggrieved that the club's plan to establish themselves in the top six has failed
Hertha Berlin sack coach Michael Skibbe - report
The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen boss only arrived in the German capital on December 22 but he is said to have been axed after Saturday's 5-0 defeat at Stuttgart
Jurgen Klopp is already Dortmund's second-most successful coach - but can he challenge the legendary Ottmar Hitzfeld?
BVB's victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday saw 'Kloppo' draw level with Matthias Sammer for second-most wins as the Ruhr side's trainer. Goal.com looks back on his fine run
Hertha Berlin sack coach Michael Skibbe - report The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen boss only arrived in the German capital on December 22 but he is said to have been axed after Saturday's 5-0 defeat at Stuttgart
Feb 12, 2012 10:05:00 AM
Hertha Berlin have sacked Michael Skibbe as coach after just five games at the helm, according to Bild.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen boss only arrived in the German capital on December 22, after exercising a release clause in his contract with Turkish outfitEskisehirspor in order to facilitate a return to the Bundesliga.
Hertha were 11th when Skibbe took charge at the Olimpic Stadium and he immediately stated his intention to propel the club up the standings with an attractive brand of football.
However, the club now sit 17th and various sources in Germany report the decision was taken after Saturday's humiliating 5-0 defeat at Stuttgart to dismiss the coach, who was under contract until 2014.
Hertha fans reacted furiously to their latest loss and understands that some 200 supporters stormed the club's training pitch on Sunday to make their dissatisfaction known to the board, who are expected to officially confirm Skibbe's departure later in the day.
Holger Stanislawski, fired by Hoffenheim earlier this week and replaced by the man who Skibbe succeeded as Hertha boss, Markus Babbel, is one of the favourites to take over in Berlin.
Xherdan Shaqiri: I want to win the treble with Bayern Munich
The Basel winger, who has been capped 17 times by Switzerland, will join the Bavarians in the summer and he is desperate to make a big impression at the Allianz Arena
Busquets resumes full training for Barcelona ahead of Bayer Leverkusen Champions League clash
The Spain international midfielder has trained normally with the rest of the Blaugrana squad and could be given a starting-XI place in the match at the BayArena
Nurnberg chairman declares new interest in Cerezo Osaka star Hiroshi Kiyotake
The chairman of the struggling Bundesliga club is determined for a second attempt to sign the Japanese youngster during the European summer
Kagawa: 'There can be no question' on Messi comparison
Some have compared the Dortmund star to the three-time Ballon d'Or winner, but the Japanese is embarrassed by it all and focussed on helping his team defend their Bundesliga title
'Barcelona are stronger than Spain; it would be a miracle to beat them,' says Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt
The German coach is not too confident ahead of the first leg at the BayArena and stated that the Catalan giants are always in impressive form in the Uefa competition
Bayern Munich confirm interest in Manchester City wonderkid John Guidetti & Montpellier's Olivier Giroud
A representative of the Bundesliga giants revealed his side have been keeping tabs on the young forwards, who have been in sensational form this season
Ballack still bitter at Bayern for blocking Barcelona move
Speaking ahead of Leverkusen's Champions League last 16 meeting with the Catalans, the former Germany captain admits that he would have loved to have moved to Camp Nou
Shaqiri compares himself to Bayern Munich star Ribery
The Basel winger will not arrive at the Allianz Arena until the end of the season but the 20-year-old Switzerland international insists that he will be worth waiting for
Watzke: Dortmund will never fire Jurgen Klopp
The BVB executive is so convinced by the 44-year-old that he is positive the Bundesliga title holders will not wish to part ways with the trainer in the duration of his contract
Brondby starlet Pierre Emil Hojberg commits future to Bayern Munich
The Bundesliga giants are set to sign Denmark's top Under-17 talent after the player revealed his decision to move to Bavaria on a free transfer this summer
Monchengladbach target Maximilian Beister as replacement for Marco Reus - report
In their search to find an alternative to the Dortmund-bound attacker, Lucien Favre's side have reportedly turned their focus upon the 21-year-old
Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller defends Arjen Robben against recent criticism
The Germany international has come to the defence of his team-mate in the wake of recent comments from Franz Beckenbauer as he hailed the Dutchman's dribbling skills
Iran coach says Wolfsburg's Ashkan Dejagah is set for Team Melli debut
The Tehran-born Germany-raised striker is reportedly finally set to make his international debut for Iran, after plenty of previous speculation
Alexis looks ahead to 'difficult' second leg as Leverkusen boss Dutt laments showing Barcelona 'too much respect'
The German boss admitted defeat as the home side suffered a night to forget with Guardiola's men running riot, while Sanchez and Busquets expressed joy with their dominant display
Guangzhou Evergrande line up Borussia Dortmund's Lucas Barrios - report
The Chinese outfit are said to be considering a bid for the Paraguay international, who has been restricted to the role of a reserve at the Westfalenstadion this season
Monchengladbach target Maximilian Beister as replacement for Marco Reus - report In their search to find an alternative to the Dortmund-bound attacker, Lucien Favre's side have reportedly turned their focus upon the 21-year-old
Feb 15, 2012 1:55:00 PM
Borussia Monchengladbach are considering a summer bid for Hamburg-owned youngsterMaximilian Beister, according to Sport-Bild.
Gladbach will have an opening in their team as of this summer, with attacking talisman Marco Reus set to leave for Dortmund. And among the candidates to replace the Germany international is Beister, who has seen his stock rise dramatically this season while on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen has pledged to bring the player back to HSV this summer, and will rue losing the 21-year-old talent. However, with his current deal set to expire in 2013, Beister could potentially use his contract situation to force a move.
Gladbach have pledged to reinvest a significant portion of the funds that will come from Reus' sale, so a transfer fee would appear well within their reach. However, sporting director Max Eberl claims his side have not yet settled on a definite target, Beister or otherwise.
"We have not yet met with any one player," he said.
Beister, who like Reus can play both on the right wing and as a second striker, has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in 21 appearances this term.
Dortmund in advanced negotiations with Artjoms Rudnevs - report The Latvia international has been in prolific form in the Ekstraklasa this season and the Bundesliga title holders are said to be close to landing his signature
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser invites Michael Ballack to request contract termination The veteran German midfielder has been given the option to leave the BayArena before the end of the season, having fallen out of favour with coach Robin Dutt
Bayern Munich starlet Alaba: Schweinsteiger is my role model The Austria international is full of respect for his team-mate, and is determined to replicate the midfielder's success by becoming a key player at the Bavarians
Nurnberg confirm interest in Bayern Munich youngster Takashi Usami The Japanese attacker is currently on loan at the Bavarians from Gamba Osaka, but could be plying his trade at another Bundesliga side next term according to Bild
Jong Tae-Se writes of his joy after January move to Koln After struggling to find his form at Bochum, the North Korea international looks forward to a new challenge in Germany's top flight after his move to to Koln
Kaiserslautern - Borussia Monchengladbach Preview: Lucien Favre's surprise package look to prolong their brilliant season at Fritz Walter Stadion Two teams at opposite ends of the table clash, with the hosts in need of points to allay fears of relegation and the visitors looking to keep pace at the top
Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa ruled out for three weeks
The Japan international, who has been a key performer for the German champions this season, suffered ankle ligament damage in training on Wednesday
Max Eberl slams Rummenigge: Referees are not tougher on Bayern Munich
Following the CEO's claims that officials punish his side without reason, many have spoken out to the contrary, with a study also agreeing with the naysayers
Agent: Takashi Usami will leave Bayern Munich in the summer
The player's representative has revealed that his client will not extend his stay at the Allianz Arena, amid interest from Nurnberg and Hoffenheim
Manchester United made enquiries about £33m-rated Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze, claims agent
The attacking midfielder has attracted a wide array of suitors with his performances this year and Sir Alex Ferguson's side are thought to be leading the chase
Bayern Munich defender Diego Contento resumes individual training
The full-back has spent the past few weeks on the sidelines due to a broken toe, but the Bavarian giants are on the verge of being able to consider him for first-team action
John Guidetti will return to Manchester City after Feyenoord loan
The 19-year-old striker is set to snub a second loan spell at the Eredivisie club, for whom he has been in sparkling form, in order to fight for his place under Roberto Mancini
Bayer Leverkusen director Rudi Voller slams Friedrich & Kadlec for swapping shirts with Barcelona star Messi
The former Germany international has expressed his dismay with the defenders' behaviour, and has confiscated their memento from their Champions League clash
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser invites Michael Ballack to request contract termination
The veteran German midfielder has been given the option to leave the BayArena before the end of the season, having fallen out of favour with coach Robin Dutt
Feb 17, 2012 12:35:00 PM
By Enis Koylu
Michael Ballack's days at Bayer Leverkusen seem to be numbered with the club's CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser inviting the former Germany captain to terminate his contract.
The 35-year-old has been dropped from Robin Dutt's first team in recent weeks and has also been criticised by Holzhauser for his sub-par performances, with the club already conceding that the veteran will be leaving the BayArena in the summer.
However, it seems as though Ballack could depart the BayArena sooner, with Holzhauser stating that it was a possibility, should the player want it.
"Our contract with Ballack runs until June 30. If he wants to get out early, we can certainly discuss that," Holzhauser told Focus.
Ballack, who re-joined Leverkusen from Chelsea in 2010 on a free transfer, missed the Champions League defeat to Barcelona with a hamstring injury and is still at least two weeks from fitness.
