Ballack ready for Loew talks

Source: Agencies  |   2008-10-24  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

GERMANY captain Michael Ballack said he is ready to meet with Joachim Loew to discuss their differences after the status of senior players.

With Loew's authority under attack, Kicker football magazine suggested yesterday that Ballack was under threat of losing not only the captaincy but also his place in the German team and described the dispute as a power struggle.

"I am pleased that the coach is again seeking a dialogue with me," Ballack told Bild newspaper. "And I am looking forward to the talk. I am ready any time for this head-to-head talk."

But Ballack said German federation officials had to ask his club Chelsea to find a date for the talk.

Loew wants to summon Ballack to a crisis meeting after the captain went public with his criticism of the coach for leaving midfielder Torsten Frings out of the last two World Cup qualifiers.

Frings blasted Loew on Wednesday.

"Michael Ballack has the right to speak openly. He is the captain of the team and he notices when something is not correct. You should be able to express your opinion. If Michael Ballack can't say anything anymore, then no one can," Frings said.

"It's not for nothing that experienced players are angry, that they are upset and that they are asking for something. Perhaps one should ask why is that."