• Germany edition
Sport
Photo: DPA

Captain Ballack yearns for swan song

Published: 15 Oct 12 08:13 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sport/20121015-45555.html

Retired ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack has said he is hoping to have a farewell game organised for him and has revealed he plans to get his coaching licence.

The former Chelsea star, who turned 36 in September, retired from professional football at the start of the month after his two-year contract at Bayer Leverkusen expired having made 98 appearances for Germany.

Ballack turned down a offer by the German Football Federation (DFB) to make his final appearance in the friendly victory over Brazil in August 2011, but the midfielder says he still wants a farewell match.

"I would hope so. Of course, I would like to say goodbye to the fans," Ballack, who spent four years with Chelsea, told Cologne newspaper Express when asked if he wanted a farewell match.

"I will at some point in the foreseeable future get my coaching license, bBut whether or not I will be a trainer, I can't say yet."

Bayer Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Völler says he wants to see a special game organised for Ballack.

"Everyone had assumed Michael would continue to play," Völler told Bild on Sunday, having also advised Ballack to get his coaching license.

"Now we have to see whether we can organise a farewell match, it should be put together by the DFB, Ballack and Bayer."

But it looks unlikely the DFB will be involved in any plans after Ballack turned down their initial offer.

"I personally think the time for a farewell match is gone," Bierhoff told German television before pointing out neither former stars Jürgen Klinsmann nor Jürgen Kohler had farewell matches.

"Firstly, we have only a few dates available, so I see no chance anymore."

AFP/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

09:09 October 15, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
He should have sorted that out whilst he was still employed. It is more difficult to negotiate a payoff after you have left the job. Hope he gets what he wants as I feel he was hard done by somewhat.
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