Bayern Munich have extended the contract of chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge until December 2013.
The Bavarian giants’ supervisory board voted on Monday to extend the 55-year-old’s contract, while his deputy Karl Hopfner has had his contract extended until December 2012 by his own request.
“The supervisory board of Bayern Munich has voted unanimously for the contract extensions of CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and his deputy Karl Hopfner,” said Bayern president Uli Hoeness in a statement.
“We are pleased that we have agreed the contract extensions.
“This ensures that the successful work at Bayern Munich will be continued.”
Blatter receives Oceania boost
Sepp Blatter’s bid to be re-elected as FIFA president has been given a further boost after the Oceania confederation confirmed their support for him at next month’s election.
Blatter is being challenged by Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam at the June 1 election which will be held at the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
The 75-year-old appears to be leading the race for re-election, however, after UEFA last week signed a letter backing Blatter and urging “all UEFA member associations to do likewise”.
Oceania have followed suit following an executive committee meeting in Auckland stating Blatter’s “significant impact” on the region during his 13 years in office had been a determining factor.
Pizarro faces Copa fitness race
Peru striker Claudio Pizarro faces a race to be fit in time for July’s Copa America after picking up an injury in training, Werder Bremen said yesterday.
Pizarro, 32, suffered a torn muscle in his right thigh while training with his German league club on Wednesday and will miss tomorrow’s final league game of the season at Kaiserslautern.
But Bremen have said the striker may be fit for the Copa America which will take place in Argentina from July 1 to 24.
“He will rest for three weeks and will put in some individual training before joining the Peru team,” said Bremen’s director Klaus Allofs.
Schalke eye Stekelenburg
Ajax and Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg could be an option for German club Schalke if Manuel Neuer moves on this summer.
The 28-year-old Dutchman has one year left on his contract with the Amsterdam club, which may make him an attractive option to Schalke should Neuer leave.
Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt said: “Stekelenburg is the goalkeeper for the Dutch national team and that is not without reason.
“His contract with Ajax is for one more year. But it is not certain that Neuer will leave.”
Krasic anticipated Juve difficulties
Milos Krasic claims that it was inevitable that Juventus would have had difficulties this season.
The Bianconeri began the campaign with the intention of finishing in the top four, but following their disappointing 2-2 draw against Chievo that target is now five points away with just two league games left.
“This season saw a new coach come in and lots of new players,” the former CSKA Moscow player said. “It is only normal that we’ve faced some difficulties.
“It was an incredible game against Chievo, ending in a way that nobody expected,” continued the Serbian winger.
“I hope next season will be a better campaign than the one that is coming to an end – and that we can be in the hunt for something important.”
Guardiola almost quit – report
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola considered walking away from the Camp Nou this season, a report in the Spanish press suggested yesterday.
El Pais made the claim, suggesting Guardiola’s morale had been dented by attacks on his character by former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the verbal jousting with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
“Guardiola, threatened by Ibrahimovic at the start and attacked by Mourinho at the end, was thinking about quitting the Camp Nou before Barca won their third consecutive title,” the paper declared.
“I’m feeling old, I’m starting to lose patience,” Guardiola confided to friends.
The report emerged the day after Guardiola guided Barca to their third straight title and 21st in all with a 1-1 draw at Levante.
Rossi set to quit Palermo
Delio Rossi is likely to leave Palermo at the end of the season, the club’s former sporting director Walter Sabatini said.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has said that he will hold talks with the coach at the end of the season over his future.
“I think there is little chance of Rossi staying,” Sabatini, who is expected to work for the new Roma owners, said. “A cycle has come to the end.
“I think that Delio and Zamparini will make different choices, but this is what happens in football.”