Klinsmann: Podolski Going Nowhere

[Bazza]

New Bayern Munich boss Jurgen Klinsmann insists he will not rest until Lukas Podolski feels at home at the Allianz Arena.

The Germany striker has been strongly linked with a move away from the Bundesliga champions after becoming unhappy at his lack of first-team football.

Former club Cologne were reported to be the 23-year-old's preferred destination, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge earlier this week stressed he would not be sold.

And Klinsmann, under whom Podolski flourished in the national team, claims there is no way he would let such a talented player leave the club.

The coach told Munich-based newspaper tz: "I already said before the European Championship that I am absolutely building on Lukas.

"Lukas has so much potential, so much in him, that it has to still be further developed.

"That he suffers under the situation is absolutely understandable. It is up to me to give him a prospect of getting his games.

"I have told him: you are not allowed to run away from the situation now. The quality is so high - we are not going to let that get away."

Klinsmann has already revealed, though, he can not guarantee Podolski a starting place.

Podolski impressed in an unfamiliar left-sided role as Germany reached the final of Euro 2008, scoring three times to finish as his team's leading scorer in the tournament.

But at Bayern last season he was restricted largely to substitute appearances, with then-coach Ottmar Hitzfeld favouring the pairing of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni up front, with Frenchman Franck Ribery having sewn up the left midfield berth.

Juventus, Tottenham and Manchester City, as well as Cologne, are reported to be interested in the Polish-born forward, but Klinsmann is determined to make him feel wanted at Bayern.

He added: "I will give all my effort to making him feel happy. That he has a bit of home sickness (for Cologne) is surely only human.

"For all of us is it important to help these players. If Podolski at some time can not reach his potential for emotional reasons, one has to make provisions for that.

"That is our responsibility."

Cologne boss Christoph Daum has made no secret of his desire to bring Podolski back to the club where he made his name.

But the coach of the Bundesliga newcomers admits their pursuit of the forward now looks to be over.

Daum told the Bild newspaper: "We always wanted a clear statement (from Bayern), and now we have got one.

"(Cologne) manager Michael Meier also advised me so after his telephone conversation with Rummenigge. We respect contracts."