Americans Abroad

Bayer Leverkusen is considering Donovan recall to revive sagging fortunes.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.),
SoccerTimes

Bayer Leverkusen officials are considering whether recalling the loan of Landon Donovan could help the struggling German Bundesliga club.-- Photo by John Todd/MLS/Getty Images --

(Thursday, October 10, 2002) -- Off to a miserable start in the German Bundesliga, moneyed power Bayer Leverkusen is considering recalling United States striker\midielder Landon Donovan.

Leverkusen, expected to annually compete for the Bundesliga title and European hardware, is off to a stumbling 2-4-2 start, its eight points placing the club 15th among 18 first-division teams. "I didn't make up my mind about it yet," Bayer coach Klaus Toppmöller told Kicker magazine about bringing Donovan back. "Fact is that we could have needed Donovan in the last weeks. We'll deal with this matter, talk with the guy and hopefully find a solution that satisfies everyone. The next weeks will decide."

Donovan, 20, a World Cup standout, is under contract to Leverkusen through 2007, but spent the last two seasons on loan to Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes. He signed his first professional contract with Leverkusen in February 1999, but the Redlands, Calif., native was eager to return to the States after seeing no first-team action in Germany.

Donovan has stated plainly that he is quite happy in San Jose and not anxious to return to Leverkusen. where he is under contract until 2007. He and his agent Richard Motzkin have made it clear he will return to Bayer only if he is virtually guaranteed a place on the first team.

Reportedly, Donovan, Motzkin and MLS representatives will travel to Germany early in November to seeking resolution of the situation. Since the player's contract belongs to Leverkusen, he will have to abide the club's wishes or he and\or MLS will face a costly buyout. On the other hand, since Bayer will pay Donovan a far greater salary than he receives in the U.S., it makes no sense for the team to bring him back if he's not slated for some serious playing time.

"We have a full understanding for Donovan, regarding both human and sportive aspects," Bayer general manager Reiner Calmund added "Either the status quo remains and Donovan stays home. . . Or he's getting a quasi-guarantee for the starting lineup. It only makes sense to have him back if the coach can assure to a large extent that he's going to play."

Casey, 21, who has been working hard to regain fitness since suffering a preseason sprain to the same knee, scored a goal in a 20-0 rout of semi-pro SpVgg Laatzen, but came off limping in the 35th minute.

He saw his first action with the first team this season on Saturday, coming on in the 74th minute of Hannover's 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund. He was considered fit enough to start the reserve match.

In a written statement, Hannover club doctor Wego Kregehr said he is evaluating the injury, but "hopes" it is not serious.

Howard has a year to go on his current MLS contract. If Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk is impressed, a substantial transfer fee probably would be required to obtain the 23-year-old keeper.

It does not appear Feyenoord is really in the market for a keeper. The incumbent, veteran Dutchman Edwin Zoetebier, took over last year for Polish international Jerzy Dudek, who moved on to Liverpool. After poor showings at SBV Vitesse in the Netherlands and Sunderland in England, Zoetebier had a fine season for Feyenoord last year and has gotten off to a strong start this year.

The MetroStars say they expect Howard back by the end of the month.

The former Leeds United, Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday boss was joined at the Stadium of Light by Steve Cotterill who quit his job as manager of Stoke City this morning to become Wilkinson's assistant.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent and can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com.