Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren and striker Edin Dzeko have insisted there is no problem between them, despite the Bosnian’s refusal to shake hands after being substituted.
Dzeko, the Wolfsburg captain, was taken off with two minutes to play after missing a crucial penalty in the 77th minute of the goalless draw with Werder Bremen on Saturday, and the striker made no secret of his displeasure.
“I can understand it. Football is a sport where there are lots of emotions and you have to manage them,” McClaren told the club website with his side 13th in the league.
In a statement later issued by the club, Dzeko attributed his reaction to a bad mood and said he has nothing against the English coach.
“What I did was not right, but it has nothing to do with the coach, with whom I have always had, and still have, good relations,” he said.
He also pledged 5,000 euros to a charity for children in the Wolfsburg area.
Dzeko, who has scored nine goals this season, has attracted interest from abroad, but Wolfsburg have set his selling price at €40 million and have ruled out selling him in January’s transfer window.
