Heynckes: Munich must keep Robben, urges improvement from Ribery

Dec 15, 2011, 9:41 GMT

Berlin - Arjen Robben must get a contract extension at German Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich while Franck Ribery needs further improvement, according to coach Jupp Heynckes.

Heynckes told Thursday's edition of Kicker sports magazine that Robben and Ribery are yet to peak in their comebacks from injury and urged Ribery not to rest on his laurels.

The return of Robben coincided with a mini-slump of the Bavarians which raised questions whether Munich really needed the Dutch winger and would renew his contract beyond 2013.

'He is a player who can make a difference,' insisted Heynckes. 'It is utter nonsense that we don't want to keep him. Fact is that we want to continue working together with Arjen, regardless of our decisions on the squad in summer.'

Heynckes said he is convinced that Robben will return to top form if he remains healthy 'because I have rarely seen a player who works so hard.'

The coach also praised the work ethics of the French winger Ribery, who has been in Munich since 2007 and whose current deal runs until 2015, but added that he must take the next step again.

''He realizes that the hard work pays off when he has success. But he should not rest on it, he is capable of much more.

'He must become so dominant again that Ribery becomes French Footballer of the Year and not (Karim) Benzema of Real (Madrid). Franck can only be satisfied if he is Footballer of the Year in France, and in Europe one day. Then I will give him three days off,' Heynckes told Kicker.

Heynckes, who started a second term as coach in Munich in summer on a two-year contract, also praised the major step midfielder Toni Kroos has taken and said his team has played attractive football for the biggest part of the season.

'The way we played for a long time is unique in the Bundesliga. You have rarely seen such football here. We want to play as convincing, brilliant and successful again,' Heynckes said.

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