By John Bagratuni, dpa
Berlin (dpa) – Germany attacking midfielder Mario Goetze has no intention of leaving Bayern Munich and has dismissed reports that new coach Carlo Ancelotti won’t guarantee him more playing time at the Bundesliga champions.
Goetze, 23, was widely tipped to leave Munich in summer, and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported two weeks ago he was told by Ancelotti that his situation might not improve after spending more time on the bench than on the pitch under Pep Guardiola.
But Goetze told Tuesday’s edition of the Bild paper that he would stay at Bayern in what is the final season of his four-year contract since a 2013 move from Borussia Dortmund, and that Ancelotti would give him a fair chance just like any other player.
«I am looking forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything to show up fully fit for my first training under Carlo Ancelotti,» Goetze said.
«I had a very good conversation with Ancelotti, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise. I am looking forward to working with him.»
Munich pre-season training starts on July 11 but Goetze and the other players taking part at Euro 2016 will join at a later stage.
Goetze has also changed his management, with his father, Juergen Goetze, taking over from the SportsTotal agency.
While not living up to expectations in Munich, Goetze scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and hopes for similar success at the upcoming Euro tournament in France.
Germany coach Joachim Loew considers Goetze a key player, and seeing a lot of playing time in France could boost his confidence ahead of the return to Munich, or raise his value in case of a transfer after all.
«I will solely concentrate in the European Championship now. I will not comment on any other issues until after the Euro. We all still lack the Euro title – and that has to change,» Goetze said.
