Cool, calm and collected
Butt’s experience could be trump in run-in
18.04.2011
Every catch, save, clearance and even goal-kick taken by Jörg Butt, restored to the status of first-choice keeper at Bayern, drew chants of approval from the loyalists at the Allianz Arena on Sunday. The seasoned shot-stopper started a match for the first time since a 5-3 win away to Stuttgart on 19 December. Former coach Louis van Gaal demoted Butt during the mid-season break in favour of rising star Thomas Kraft.
“Obviously, I’m delighted to be back out on the field. That's why you play football,” Butt said on Monday. Interim boss Andries Jonker has re-established the former pecking order for the remaining games of the season. “I have to ensure Bayern qualify for the Champions League. At the moment, I think our chances are better with Butt,” Jonker explained ahead of Sunday’s Leverkusen clash.
Kraft is an exceptionally talented young player, as Butt happily acknowledges: “Thomas did a very, very good job. He’s a great goalkeeper,” the 36-year-old enthused. However, Butt continued, at just 22 and without any Bundesliga experience, it was always going to be “extremely tough” as the Bayern number one.
Butt’s valued advice
Butt drew comparisons with the young Oliver Kahn. “He played in Europe for Karlsruhe and came here as a tried and tested keeper. He developed from there,” Butt explained. Mistakes are not welcome at FCB. “You need stability, but you can’t offer that if you have no experience,” the veteran remarked.
Butt’s wealth of experience could be a decisive factor in the run-in to the end of the season, especially as his opinion is hugely valued in the dressing room. “I always look to talk to captains Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm. If they ask for my opinion, I give it to them, and they come to me for advice.”
Decision still incomprehensible
Butt continues to be mystified by the decision taken during the winter break. “I’ve never been able to comprehend it. I consistently played to the highest standards for a year and a half, we won trophies and made the Champions League final. And suddenly, I was informed I wouldn’t be playing. Performance should be the only selection criteria. The coach and I clearly had a difference of opinion on that issue.”
That is history now, and Butt is back. As usual, his command of the defence added stability and confidence at the back. He is now up for the job at hand: “We need to lay the foundations for success next season,” he declared. His future is yet to be settled, but one thing is certain: “I’m staying at Bayern!” Either as keeper, or as head of the youth section.
Credit: FC Bayern Munich (www.fcbayern.t-com.de)
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