Late last night Ballack released a statement via the sid news
agency which read:
“I knew that I would receive criticism for my comments in
the press, but I didn’t expect it to be this big. Therefore I
have to admit that it was a mistake to have chosen this path.
I will sit down with Joachim Löw as soon as my health permits and
will apologise for my conduct. Because one thing is clear,
I’m only interested in the success of the team.”
Ballack had earlier given an interview with the ‘Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung’ in which he seemingly criticised Löw and
demanded more honesty and respect. He was roundly criticised
for doing so and it seemed that his role as German captain was up
for discussion.
Bild has reported that Ballack telephone Löw personally last
night to explain his actions. “I phoned Jogi today and told
him that it wasn’t my intention to criticise his work as
Bundestrainer, but just to protect and support my fellow team
mates. I value Jogi Löw personally as a person and as a
trainer” Ballack explained.
“My interview was to do with a situation, not a particular
person. I didn’t want to attack anyone personally, but just
discuss things that are close to my heart as captain openly and
critically.
“I chose to do it at this time point as we had just played well
and won and in my opinion the trainer is in an untouchable
position. It would have been weak of me to have given the
interview had we lost two games in a row” the Chelsea midfielder
added.
The foreseen meeting between Ballack and Löw will however have
to wait until Ballack has recovered from the foot operation he
recently underwent.
