09.05.2007

Keller and El Fakiri set to leave

Speculation is rife as to the composition of the Borussia squad for next season. Today sport director Christian Ziege shed some light on the situation.

Christian Ziege on...

... players definitely leaving Borussia: "As everybody knows, Peer Kluge is going to Nürnberg. Oliver Kirch and Michael Melka have not been offered a new deal and Bernd Thijs and Wesley Sonck know they no longer feature in our plans and can begin looking for another club. Michael Delura and Hassan El Fakiri have turned down our offer and won't be receiving a new one."

... Kasey Keller: "Kasey is a special case. 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. Christofer Heimeroth will be our number one next season. He has our trust and has shown his quality in the last few games. Kasey isn't available as a stand-in, so we'll be signing a reserve keeper. We want someone with a bit of experience, someone you can rely on if something happens."

... Kasper Bogelund and Steve Gohouri: "We've made it clear to both of them that we want them to stay. Although they have get-out clauses in their contracts, both have indicated a willingness to stay. They're both great guys and are very important for the team."

... Ze Antonio: "He's told us he doesn't want to play in the second division, but he's still under contract. As with a few other players, we're only prepared to release him if the deal is right for Borussia."

... Marcell Jansen: "Jos Luhukay and I spoke to him again yesterday and told him how he important he is to us. I've only read in the papers that he doesn't want to play in the second division and therefore wants to the leave the club. He hasn't said that to me and he didn't say it yesterday either. If he really does want to leave, I expect him to tell me so."

... Eugen Polanski: "He's under contract and we told him yesterday that he's still in our plans, so I was surprised to read in the paper today that we aren't planning with him. The fact is that he has a problem with dropping into division two because he feels it's the wrong move for his career. But he's a part of our plans and he knows that. He's had a disappointing year, but we know what he's capable of and we want him here next year."

... Federico Insua: "He's a quality player but unfortunately he's underperformed this season. You have to consider that he had huge problems settling in, however. We know he's more than capable and we will tell him so."

... Marko Marin: "Marko Marin will play an important role for us next season. Although he has a contract until 2010, i.e. a trainee contract until 2008 followed by a professional contract, we intend to offer him a new professional deal."

... Kahê: "He's had a difficult year and he knows the situation won't get any easier for him next year."

... Vaclav Sverkos (on loan to Austria Vienna): "Vaclav is contracted to us until 2009. Unfortunately he was out a long time through injury and hasn't played much in Vienna, but we're going to have a look at him in their last few matches. 'Sverki' hasn't impressed over the last two seasons but he's a proven goalscorer. And we knew how he feels about Borussia."

... new signings: "Patience is what's needed here! We've been scouring the market for players since March. But we aim to watch them five or six times if possible, rather than just once or twice. We also try to a form a personal impression of each player by devoting a lot of attention to them, including in private. We've held some talks but we need more time."

... today's visit by Germany coach Joachim Löw and sport director Oliver Bierhoff: "They were here to discuss our plans post-season and the forthcoming international matches. We also talked about Oliver Neuville and Marcell Jansen. Joachim Löw and the other national coaches (Morten Olsen/Denmark, Köbi Kuhn/Switzerland and Uli Stielike/Ivory Coast) have all made absolutely clear that a player's performances for his club are what counts, not the division he is playing in."