Bayern's Effenberg back for Bundesliga finale
( 2002-04-30 09:27 ) (7 )

Stefan Effenberg, team captain of FC Bayern Munich, celebrates Munich's second goal during the German first division soccer match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Munich's Olympic stadium February 3, 2002. [Reuters]

Bayern Munich captain Stefan Effenberg would play his last competitive game for the club against Hansa Rostock in the final round of the Bundesliga next Saturday, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said on Monday.

Effenberg, whose contract expires at the end of the season and will not be renewed, had been dropped by Hitzfeld for the last two league games after his controversial comments that many of Germany's unemployed were too lazy to look for work because the jobless benefits were too high.

Bayern, who are chasing a record fourth straight German crown, are in third place, two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, after winning 1-0 at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.

"I am certain that Effenberg and our team will play with pride on Saturday to seize the opportunity of defending our title so that we can celebrate at the end of the season, which is what we and our fans want," Hitzfeld said.

Effenberg, one of the country's highest paid players, caused a national outrage with his remarks in a magazine interview.

"Stefan has had to miss two league matches because of his controversial statements," said Hitzfeld, who talked to Effenberg on Sunday. "For us the matter is closed."

Effenberg's future remained unclear after the 33-year-old turned down an offer from English first division Manchester City.

The former German international said he was talking to three clubs, among them Turkish side, Galatasaray.