Effenberg expects summer exit

FC Bayern München playmaker Stefan Effenberg has revealed that this is likely to be his last season at the Olympiastadion. "Realistically, I think that my journey at Bayern will come to an end this summer," said the former German international.

Key figure
The 33-year old Effenberg, an instrumental figure in the Bavarian outfit's UEFA Champions League success last term, said in an interview with German television channel DSF that he does not see a future for himself in Munich - especially with the club reportedly trying to sign Sebastian Deisler and Michael Ballack.

'Not so naïve'
"I am not so naïve that I still believe that I have a chance in the side after the summer break and I assume that I will playing somewhere else in the next season," said Effenberg.

Tough business
Reflecting on coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's future plans, Effenberg said: "If I had the opportunity to replace a 33-year-old who plays a crucial role in the side with a player who is 12 or 13 years younger, I know what I would choose and I won't blame Bayern. Everyone knows that football is a tough business."

Plenty of alternatives
Effenberg, who is still sidelined after sustaining an injury in the first 1. Bundesliga match of the season, a 1-0 defeat by former club VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, refused to elaborate on his plans for the future, but said: "The atmosphere in the English stadiums is fantastic but there are definitely also alternatives to that.”