The rudely named Karl-Heinz Rummenigge apparently struggles with the basics of footballer psychology.
“I just can’t imagine that he would go to Manchester United,” Rummenigge told Premiere television, referring to Bayern Munich midfielder and Germany captain Michael Ballack.
“What would speak for Manchester and against Bayern Munich? Nothing at all, if you take a look at the table in England.
“If I were a player I would definitely not go to Manchester.
“Real Madrid are obviously a club with an incredible image, but as we’ve seen they haven’t won anything at all in the last two years.”
Rummenigge is, of course, Bayern’s chief executive and will be saying everything possible to keep the German star. But surely he can come up with better than petty jibes at two of the biggest, most popular clubs in the world? There is a reason that Ronaldo, Beckham, Owen, Robinho, Rooney, Van Nistlerooy, and Zidane haven’t exactly been making noises in the media about fufilling lifelong dreams of moving to the Bundesliga.
At 29, the window of opportunity to do something other than score against MSV Duisburg is closing and Michael would be smart to take advantage. His contract is expiring, so he will have his choice of destinations and will surely want to test himself in one of arguably the two best leagues in Europe. Otherwise, United and Real are better off without someone of such limited ambition.