Deisler calls time on playing career

Injury problems
Deisler has been dogged by problems since joining Bayern from Hertha BSC Berlin in 2002, particularly persistent knee trouble and depression. He has had five operations on his right knee alone, limiting the one-time prodigy to 62 league games in his four and a half seasons with the Bavarian team.

'Don't enjoy football'
"The past few months have been an ordeal," Deisler said today. "I have taken my time in reaching this decision - but I don't enjoy playing football any more." He only returned to action in November after missing the summer's FIFA World Cup due to a serious cartilage complaint. He then picked up a thigh injury in training, ensuring a disappointing end to 2006.

Bright start
Deisler made his first and only UEFA Champions League appearance of the campaign in the 1-1 draw with FC Internazionale Milano on 5 December. In total, he played 21 times in the competition, scoring three goals. Deisler first came to prominence aged 19 at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, and big things were expected of 'Basti Fantasti' at Bayern where he featured in the double success of 2004/05. However, his problems ultimately took their toll on a man whose first professional coach, Friedel Rausch, predicted would one day be "mentioned in the same breath as [Fritz] Walter, [Uwe] Seeler and [Franz] Beckenbauer".

Door open
Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness explained that the club would not be cancelling Deisler's contract, insisting: "He can use his option to return to us at any time." Nonetheless, Hoeness went on to say: "I had hoped until the end that this was just a nightmare, because Deisler is one of the best players Germany has ever had."