Bayern Munich manager Uli Hoeness has confirmed that Stefan Effenberg will definitely leave the European champions at the end of the season. Hoeness' announcement ends speculation that both parties had done a U-turn and decided to extend the 33-year-old's current contract, which expires in June.
Bayern have already moved to fill Effenberg's boots by signing German international Sebastian Deisler from Hertha Berlin. The 22-year-old will arrive at the end of the season after completing an 18million DM (£5.7m) deal this week.
"Stefan knew about this for a long time and so did his wife," Hoeness told RP-Online. "We have always been honest about this and told him that we would possibly not extend his contract if we could get Sebastian Deisler to Munich. He knew that and he was pretty cool about it. Effenberg has already expressed an interest in ending his playing career in England."
Hoeness, meanwhile, admitted that he will leave Bayern within the next five years. He has been manager of the Bavarians since 1979.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
