IRNA - Bayern Munich President Franz
Beckenbauer expressed deep scepticism on Monday as to whether Ali Karimi
will have a future at the German Bundesliga club beyond this season.
Asked in an interview with the bi-weekly kicker sports magazine whether
Karimi and his Paraguayan teammate Julio dos Santos will ever make it at
Bayern, Beckenbauer replied, "It will be hard for them."
Pointing to Karimi's playing days in the United Arab Emirates prior to his
signing at Bayern, Beckenbauer pointed out that the slow paced Arab football
style made it difficult for Karimi to earn a permanent spot on Bayern
Munich's starting formation.
The media reported earlier that Bayern won't extend Karimi's contract at the
end of this Bundesliga season.
The 27-year-old Karimi who has yet to score this season, has mainly
languished on Bayern's reserve bench.
Bayern coach Felix Magath who had great hopes for Karimi when he signed him
in 2005, has been frustrated by the Iranian player's unwillingness to learn
the German language in a bid to be able to adjust better within the team.
