Michael Ballack wants to continue playing after this season as he nears the end of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
Midfielder wants to continue playing after this season
Michael Ballack wants to continue playing after this season as he nears the end of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen.
The midfielder joined the club for a second time on a free transfer in 2010, but has found first-team appearances limited this season, starting just 13 of Leverkusen's 25 Bundesliga games.
This led the club's general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser to claim that it had been a mistake to sign Ballack.
However, the 35-year-old says the problem has been the coach, be it Robin Dutt this year, or Jupp Heynckes last season.
Problems
"I wanted to play another two years at the highest level and my aim was to challenge for titles with Leverkusen and that Leverkusen signed a player like me was therefore the decisive step," Ballack said.
"But I never had the feeling the coaches saw it that way.
"I had other offers, but Leverkusen has a place in my heart and I came back to give the club something back, and I felt fit.
"I think there was internal communication problems regarding my role. I had the feeling that the coach was planning with other, younger players."
MLS
A move to the USA now looks likely in the summer, which would see Ballack become the latest big name to see out the twilight years of his career in the MLS.
"I have not made up my mind yet, but I think I will look for a sporting challenge elsewhere," he added.
"I think that will be abroad, but it could go in that direction (of the MLS)."
