Ballack: Banner Didn't Cause Bierhoff Beef

Germany skipper Michael Ballack has revealed the 'real' reason for his falling out with team manger Oliver Bierhoff, while making sure to stress that the feud is behind them.

Sep 21, 2008 9:50:46 PM

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The German press first reported the two to be at odds in the aftermath of the Euro 2008 final in Vienna earlier this summer, when they were caught on camera arguing with each other after Ballack refused to hold up a thank-you banner for the fans, later declaring it "tacky".

Now, the Chelsea man has admitted in an interview with Germany's Tagesspiegel am Sonntag, that the bad blood between them developed long before that.

"We did not argue because he told me to hold this banner up to the fans, that is certainly not the reason, but that is now dealt with as far as I am concerned," said Ballack, before suggesting that Bierhoff's lax attitude towards game and tournament preparation (such as endorsing open training) was the real cause of friction.

"(Former Germany coach) Jurgen Klinsmann was the first to take things in this direction, together with Oliver Bierhoff," added Ballack.

"It has just developed from there. The players like it - we are only human after all - but when you lose a grip on what counts, then you have got to do something about it.

"Before, organising our free time had never been an issue and it was normal to be shielded off from everything, but then the contact to the fans became more intensive.

"I am all in favour of fun, but football must take priority.

"Arsenal's coach Arsene Wenger once wisely said that the training field is for work and the stadium is for the fans," the midfielder continued.

"Of course there should be training sessions open to the public, but not always.

"In the summer, during the holidays, there would be 5,000 people each day at training with Bayern Munich and that makes it hard to concentrate.

"It is not all about locking the fans out, but the players must be able to train professionally and that is the same in any job.

"As a player, I like the situation in England and everybody who is new to England finds it great. It is very comforting when you can work in peace all week."

On the prompting of the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and German national team boss Joachim Low, Bierhoff and Ballack grudgingly sat around a table together to settle their differences for the good of the team.

It remains to be seen, however, what Bierhoff thinks about Ballack discussing the matter so openly with the press.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

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