Basler set for exit
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
Article summary
Former German international Mario Basler will leave 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the end of the season.
Article body
Former German international midfield player Mario Basler will leave 1. FC Kaiserslautern at the end of the season, the four-times German champions said today.
Contract expires
Basler, whose contract will expire and will not be renewed, played for Kaiserslautern from 1987-89 before returning to the club in 1999. The 34-year-old, who also played for FC Bayern München and won 30 caps for Germany, plans to carry on playing for one or two more seasons. Kaiserslautern said in a statement that Basler would be granted a farewell game and could be offered a job at the club after he ends his playing career.
Kaiserslautern recovery
Kaiserslautern were bottom of the Bundesliga a few weeks ago but have moved up to tenth in the 18-team table with six matches left and look set to escape relegation. They are also virtually guaranteed a place in the UEFA Cup having reached the final of the German Cup, where they will face Bayern München.
Financial troubles
The financially troubled club were docked three points for next season after the German Football League (DFL) ruled last month that they had breached licensing rules.