Deisler Calls It Quits
January 16, 2007
The 27-year-old midfielder, who had only just returned to the Bayern team after a fifth knee operation, said he no longer had confidence in the stability of his right knee.
"It's not an overnight decision. I have thought about it for some time," Deisler said at a news conference in Munich.
Deisler told Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness of his decision Monday evening.
"We fought for Sebastian," said Hoeness. "He is one of the best players there have ever been in Germany. I hoped to the last that it was all a nightmare."
Deisler was regarded as the best player in the country of his generation, but he missed both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as a result of knee surgery.
He was also absent from the soccer pitch in November 2003 and October 2004 when treated for depression.
One of the outstanding players in the Germany side that reached the 2005 Confederations Cup semi-finals, former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann had planned to play him on the right of midfield at the 2006 World Cup until another knee injury sidelined him for the tournament and most of the current Bundesliga season.
Short comeback at Bayern
Deisler, who was under contract with Bayern until 2009, had made his comeback in the Bundesliga before the winter break after suffering cartilage damage in his right knee in training last March.
He had just played for Germany in a 4-1 defeat against Italy in Florence on March 1, the last of his 36 international appearances.
During Bayern's training camp in Dubai this month he admitted he had been close to quitting the game but said he was now fit.
Hoeness revealed the player had considered leaving the Bayern training camp several times, finally taking the decision to quit on the return to Munich.
Munich leaves door open
"Should he decide differently at some point, in several months, in a year, he has the option in his contract to return," Hoeness said. "We haven't had a situation like this before. Now we have to assume that Sebastian is quitting soccer. That's a fact."
Deisler played just 135 Bundesliga games, for Borussia Mönchengladbach, where his career began, Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munich. There were just 62 league games for Bayern since joining the club for some nine million euros ($11.6 million) after the 2002 World Cup.
His only major tournament was the 2000 European Championships at which he appeared after making his international debut in February of that year against Holland.
His decision to turn his back on the game is now likely to intensify Bayern's activities in the transfer market. The German champions are reported to be interested in signing the French midfielder Franck Ribery from Olympique Marseille.
Bayern were also linked earlier this week with Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben, but Hoeness has so far refused to confirm the reports.
Germany taken by surprise
Soccer personalities in Germany reacted with surprise and sorrow at Deisler's decision.
Germany coach Joachim Löw said: "I am extremely sorry that a player of his outstanding abilities has had to end his career in this way. It is very regrettable for German soccer."
Former Germany coach Rudi Völler, who took charge of the national team after the 2000 European Championships until stepping down after Euro 2004, said he was shocked at the decision.
"I can hardly believe it. It is a terrible shame that his career has ended in this way," he said.