Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt has dismissed talk of differences with former Germany captain Michael Ballack, who was this week criticised by the club’s chief executive.
Ballack was substituted after an hour last week’s 3-2 victory against Mainz and was on the bench for all of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen.
But Dutt told Sport1 television in Munich he and 35-year-old Ballack were on good terms.
“What has actually happened?” Dutt said. “I substituted a player – and we won the game.”
Ballack’s contract runs out at the end of the season but Dutt said he had no interest in letting the player go in the current transfer window, which ends Tuesday.
“It’s not an issue for me. I am glad for every player I have,” he said. “We have the unique opportunity of preparing a worthy farewell for Michael Ballack.
“The team can help him and he can help the team, whether he plays or not.”
Leverkusen chief executive Wolfgang Holzhaeuser told dpa on Friday he was disappointed with Ballack’s attitude and indicated the midfielder’s second spell at the club had failed to live up to expectations.
Holzhaeuser was annoyed by Ballack’s reaction on being substituted against Mainz when he left the field shaking his head and refused to shake hands with Dutt.