McClaren cools rifts rumours, Dzeko apologises

Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren and striker Edin Dzeko on Wednesday insisted there is no problem between them, despite the Bosnian’s refusal to shake hands after being substituted.

Dzeko, the Wolfsburg captain, was taken off with two minutes to play after missing a crucial penalty in the 77th minute of the goalless draw with Werder Bremen on Saturday.

He made no secret of his displeasure, avoiding McClaren’s outstretched hand on the touchline and making straight for the tunnel, rather than joining his team-mates on the bench.

“I can understand it. Football is a sport where there are lots of emotions and you have to manage them,” McClaren told the club website with his side 13th in the league.

In a statement later issued by the club, Dzeko blamed his reaction on a bad mood and said he has nothing against the English coach, who arrived from Dutch side FC Twente last summer.

“What I did was not right, but it has nothing to do with the coach, with whom I have always had, and still have, good relations,” he said.

He also pledged 5,000 euros (6,600 US dollars) to a charity for children in the Wolfsburg area.

Dzeko, who has scored nine goals this season, has attracted interest from abroad, but Wolfsburg have set his asking price at 40 million euros (53 million US dollars) and have ruled out selling him in January’s transfer window.