Beckenbauer pessimistic over Karimi's future at Bayern Munich

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.