Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness says he is confident of retaining Michael Ballack, despite the fat that the German playmaker has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Ballack recently that he could imagine moving abroad at the end of his current contract.
But Hoeness believes that Balllack will stay at Bern for the foreseeable future.
“Michael knows that his next contract is the most important one of his career,” Hoeness told Bild am Sonntag.
“He is trying to get himself into a good position for negotiations with us and that is a legitimate move.
“I assume that Michael and his family feel very much at home in Munich.
“He is part of an intact team with a lot of potential. He gets the respect that he feels he deserves and as far as the financial side of things are concerned, he certainly won’t end up on the streets if he stays here.”
Meanwhile, Bayern coach Felix Magath warned the club hierarchy that they should try and get Ballack to sign a new deal as soon as possible.
“Michael Ballack knows that he is not just any old player, but the man who has been designated to lead our team in the future and therefore we need a decision soon,” said Magath.
“If he does decide to leave at the end of the season then we have to start looking at alternatives. For that reason we need a decision soon and not next spring.”
