Was that it for Naby Keita at SV Werder Bremen? The player chooses strange words, while head coach Ole Werner chooses clear ones. Clarification will take place on Monday.
Only five Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen – and there may not be any more: Naby Keita. IMAGO/kolbert press
As if the current situation wasn’t already modest enough from a sporting perspective, as if numerous personal adversities hadn’t already accumulated in the past few days, SV Werder Bremen now has to deal with another inglorious matter.
When the club published the line-up on Sunday afternoon around an hour before kick-off of the away game at Bayer Leverkusen, a statement was also issued at the same time that explained the absence of Naby Keita from the Bremen squad – and which is now likely to cause even more unrest for the Bundesliga club: ” After Naby found out yesterday that he wouldn’t be playing from the start, he decided not to get on the bus but to go home,” head of professional football Clemens Fritz was quoted as saying.
Werner made it clear: “The campaign actually says it all”
Keita went on strike – even though his team would be playing against the league leaders with an extremely thin squad, even though head coach Ole Werner had pointed out in advance that “we now need every man in the last few games. And Naby is certainly part of that.” After Saturday’s incident, this statement may now be described as invalid. After the 5-0 defeat in Leverkusen, the coach made it very clear what he thought of Keita’s behavior: “The action actually says it all – especially when you have the staffing levels that we currently have.”
A further prospect for the Bremen midfielder under Werner could obviously be ruled out, the 35-year-old chose such clear words: “I don’t have to say much more about that. Everyone can form their own opinion, I have made mine.” And further: “This has nothing to do with team sports.”
How does Leverkusen actually do that?
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are also playing against West Ham United and are on the verge of the first championship in the club’s history. kicker reporter Stephan von Nocks explains how this was all possible. Also: Almuth Schult is back in Germany – and Alexander Nübel extends his contract in Munich, but remains in Stuttgart.
04/12/24 – 3:23 p.m. 15:39 minutes
Even in terms of sport, Keita’s future was in question
Keita, in turn, also expressed himself via Instagram on Sunday afternoon, referring to his proven professionalism in training and the drive to want to help the club in the current difficult sporting situation. The 29-year-old has never had any disciplinary problems in his career and has always tried to be a role model. He also wrote: “I will not accept anyone tarnishing this image.” What he meant by that remained unclear – was he contradicting Fritz?
All of this will have to be clarified between those responsible and the professional and his advisor. A conversation has been scheduled for Monday. The fact that Keita’s future at Werder was recently called into question for sporting reasons certainly does not mean that it will continue to be at Osterdeich until 2026 – as at least contractually agreed. Werner told reporters on Sunday evening: “We’ll say something about that tomorrow – and then you’ll be smarter…”
2024-04-14 21:26:01
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