Following their evening meal on Sunday, Tim Borowski approached the trainer’s table and asked trainer Thomas Schaaf and general manager Klaus Allofs for a private word.
Following their evening meal on Sunday, Tim Borowski approached the trainer’s table and asked trainer Thomas Schaaf and general manager Klaus Allofs for a private word.
Following their evening meal on Sunday, Tim Borowski approached the trainer’s table and asked trainer Thomas Schaaf and general manager Klaus Allofs for a private word. Minutes later the 27 year old midfielder had informed the Bremen sporting supervisors that he would be moving to FC Bayern Munich in the summer. Neither Schaaf nor Allofs were all too shocked by the news as the rumour mill had been grounding out plenty of hear-say recently.
On Monday afternoon, Tim Borowski made his first official comments since agreeing to terms with the German giants: “During the winter break I had time to think about the situation and discuss the issue with my family. At the beginning of the New Year there was an offer from Bayern who had worked very intensively. It’s a real challenge for me. I’m almost 28 so if I want to start something new, now’s the time”, explained the midfielder who hoped his peers would understand the manner in which he announced his decision. “I didn’t wish to appear sanctimonious or dishonest about being involved in any other negotiations when I knew just what my decision would be. I was honest in how I approached Thomas Schaaf and Klaus Allofs. That puts us all in a good position. Werder made an offer that was within their means but the fact that I never even entered negotiations shows that it had nothing to do with money but rather with the sporting challenge. Borowski went on the explain that his decision had nothing to do with the new Bayern coach.”My decision to transfer to Bayern had already been made before I heard about the appointment of Jürgen Klinsmann as trainer. Bayern initially showed interest in me two or three years ago which you can read up on.”
All at Werder are positive about the manner in which the deal was made public. Klaus Allofs said on Monday: “The positive thing is that the vultures won’t be circling now. We did expect to enter into negotiations after we had made an acceptable offer but we have no influence over the sporting ranking that the players develop. We would have liked to continue our work with him.“ Allofs went on to say: “Moments like this are always a little hurtful but the fact is that we have come a long way together. Now Tim wishes to leave us and we have to accept that.”
Werder’s general manager made it very clear that the co-operation on both sides will continue right up until the summer: “We are planning for the second half of the season with Tim. There is no reason to alter that.” Allofs is not at all worried about a possibly negative reaction from the Werder fans: “He will of course find himself caught in the media spotlight now but I think most fans will have acknowledge what Tim achieved with the club during his time here. That kind of attention could also lead to Tim raising his game yet further and aiding us in winning the league title.”
Tim Borowski is in total agreement: “I want to achieve all the goals we have set ourselves with Bremen now. The new goals will come after that. I see myself as a player with responsibility here which means I have to give my all and perform. I have always done that and will continue until the end of the season. There will be no premature move made. Bremen have done a lot for me and I have given a lot back too. It wasn’t easy for me because I’ve been here for twelve years and have always felt at home. I hope the fans realise that I haven’t spun a web of lies here and that I was very open about the situation.”
Trainer Thomas Schaaf had absolutely no opportunity to influence his midfield mans decision: “Tim spoke to us after he had already made his mind up. We will miss Tim, he was a quality part of our set-up. We have gone a long way together and a successful one but unfortunately he has decided to leave us.”
Both Allofs and Schaaf are taking the developments in their stride, it’s not as if they haven’t had to deal with such situations in the past. On the subject of the next season Schaaf said: “We have been without Tim quite often in recent times due to injury and next season he will no longer be an option at all. Others will have the chance to shine now.” Allofs added: “As of the 30.06.2008, the chapter on Tim Borowski will be closed. That means other doors of opportunity will swing open.”
John Muldoon
