Nurnberg were left fuming after Hanno Balitsch opted against joining the club.
Promoted Bundesliga outfit Nurnberg were left fuming after transfer target Hanno Balitsch opted against joining the club.The 24-year-old had been set to join the Franken Stadion outfit, but had a last minute change of heart and decided to fulfil his contract at Bayer Leverkusen.
Nurnberg appeared to have won the race for the former Germany international, who has fallen out out favour since Klaus Augenthaler took the helm at the BayArena.
However, the 24-year-old surprisingly cancelled the move after failing to agree a compensation deal with Leverkusen - to whom he is contracted until 2006.
"For me, that's the Lars Ricken effect, he is too idle and not willing to take a risk," fumed FCN director of sport Martin Bader.
According to reports, Nurnberg offered the defensive midfielder a contract until 2008, but were only willing to pay him around a third of what he was earning at Bayer.
