1. Ballack: "An Scheinheiligkeit nicht zu überbieten" (the hypocrisy cannot be beaten)
"The style and content of [Löw's] statement are unfortunately exactly the way he has treated me since my serious injury last summer," said Ballack. "To call a friendly match that was arranged long ago a farewell match is a farce in my opinion. I know I owe my fans this match but I cannot accept the offer."
2. Wolfgang Niersbach (DFB general secretary) responds "Alle Gespräche sind fair und korrekt verlaufen" (all discussions were in a fair and proper manner)
Niersbach states that, "it is a shame how micha reacted" and that "Since the end of March, the coach was constantly in contact with him and has openly talked to him about the situation, because he deserves it" The offer of the testimonial match was very sincere from everyone, including Loew.
He also goes on to say that Micha knew of Jogi's decision in March, and that they did not publicize it immediately in order to give him time and also for him to choose when to publicize it. There were many phone calls between him and micha, also micha and the coach. They offered him both the Uruguay and Brazil friendlies in order to reach his 100 caps, but micha said that numbers do not matter to him.
"We did not announce it before the last bundesliga matchday due to the importance of the Freiburg match" (leverkusen had to win or at least tie this match to remain in the 2nd position for automatic CL qualification). Michael then told him that he would comment after three NT games.
"Mit dieser Erklärung möchte ich das Thema jetzt abschließen und mich voll und ganz auf meine Ziele mit Bayer 04 Leverkusen konzentrieren." (with this statement, i would like to conclude the issue and concentrate fully on my goals with Bayer Leverkusen)
sauces: kicker,(declining the offer) kicker (micha's statement defending himself), DFB (Niersbach's interview), the press release
~~i really hate everything that is going on, and it is absolutely disgusting the way that they treated him. They couldnt wait a few more days until he gets back to announce his retirement on his own time? Why does this have to turn into a he said, she said debate.
Why should his legacy end like this? This isnt the first time the DFB screws someone over - they just cannot/do not want to handle players like Ballack anymore. Hes not like the little puppies they have on their team now - he was an icon of the past, of the Kahn/Micha era, those players are different and they command respect and deserve it. The move was hypocritical and he has every right to decline the "farwell" game, Niersbach should just shut the fuck up and let this rest - why does he have to stir shit up?
So why did they go ahead and announce it via the press conference, without Michael even knowing?
According to Niersbach, they tried to contact him many times but he was not reachable. They tried calling and texting him but he was not available for a conversation with Loew. They also contacted a third party on how to proceed and to ask Micha to get back to them (most probably Rudi voeller - sporting director of bayer leverkusen) yet after a certain date, when they still did not get any response they decided to just GO AHEAD.
3. Micha responds with class, "Ich finde es schade, jetzt erneut Aussagen lesen zu müssen, die nicht der Wahrheit entsprechen und auf die ich reagieren muss." (I find it a pity, that i now read statements that do not correspond to the truth and that i must respond)*
Ballack says that no one - not even Niersbach- was there during the conversations with Loew**. The coach did not come and tell him on the 30th of March that his time was up and that he no longer plans to use him - and that the opposite was the case. Loew told him him that he was back on track after his injury and that he could make it back into the team - that he is the fighter type. He motivated him and told him not to quit.
Since the summer, the stalling tactics made by the coach do not fit the statements he has made about ballack, and for example - Oliver Bierhoff has said on tv (sport 1) that they would not close the door - for michael could still be important.
In May, Micha finally made the decision to withdraw from the NT. He then told Loew and Niersbach. They agreed to let him announce his retirement from international duty over the summer - and that an exact date was never set. When Loew/Niersbach contacted him on vacation last week, it was one hour via a text message before the press release. They released it three days before his holidays end, knowing fully well that he had time before football season started again. This press release was was contrary to their written agreement.
Micha reiterates that it was clearly and unequivocally agreed by both sides his decision to announce his retirement during the summer break.
"Mit dieser Erklärung möchte ich das Thema jetzt abschließen und mich voll und ganz auf meine Ziele mit Bayer 04 Leverkusen konzentrieren." (with this statement, i would like to conclude the issue and concentrate fully on my goals with Bayer Leverkusen)
* this is michael ballacks statement, but i did not use "I" but rather turned it into him, because i dont want to inaccurately translate something and have it appear as if he said it himself.
**(any german native speakers correct me if i made any glaring errors - i apologize beforehand), question though, did i translate this right? "Fakt ist jedoch, dass niemand, auch nicht Wolfgang Niersbach, auch nur bei einem einzigen der Gespräche dabei war, die der Bundestrainer und ich geführt haben."
Why should his legacy end like this? This isnt the first time the DFB screws someone over - they just cannot/do not want to handle players like Ballack anymore. Hes not like the little puppies they have on their team now - he was an icon of the past, of the Kahn/Micha era, those players are different and they command respect and deserve it. The move was hypocritical and he has every right to decline the "farwell" game, Niersbach should just shut the fuck up and let this rest - why does he have to stir shit up?
Danke Micha, für alles
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