Hoeness keen on retaining Butt

(GSM) – Bayern Munich club president Uli Hoeness is keen on retaining the services of Hans-Jorg Butt as he believes that the goalkeeper can remain the number one choice between the posts at the Bavaria giants for years to come.

Butt appears to have won the battle with Michael Rensing for the goalkeeper’s shirt under Louis van Gaal, just like he did two-thirds of the way through last season when he convinced Jurgen Klinsmann that he was a better choice.

The 35-year-old’s contract only runs until next summer, but Hoeness expects him to sign on for another year at least.

“We have always said that we want to extend Butt’s contract,” he told Bavarian television on Monday. “We have a lot to thank Jorg for. He is a really nice bloke and, on top of that, he is a fantastic goalkeeper.

“With Jorg Butt, we don’t have any problem in goal. He is an excellent goalkeeper.”

Butt scored from the penalty spot in last week’s vital 4-1 Champions League victory over Juventus, a victory that saw Bayern progress to the knockout stages at the expense of the Italians.

That was his third goal against the Bianconeri, carrying on a tradition from his Bayer Leverkusen days when he would always take spot kicks.

And his excellent recent form has helped Bayern to a five-game unbeaten run which has reduced an eight-point deficit at the top of the Bundesliga to just two points with one game to be played before the midway stage of the season.

“If things carry on like this, then other clubs are going to have to be careful that they don’t only see us from behind,” added Hoeness.

Bayern have climbed five places over the last three weeks and now only have Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen ahead of them in the table.