Hitzfeld drops Hargreaves hint

The England international midfielder has made no secret of his desire to play in the English top-flight after making his mark in Die Bundesliga and has been linked with moves to big-guns Arsenal and Liverpool.

Bayern are unwilling to part with the 21-year-old but Hitzfeld confessed the club could not change the player's wish to return to his homeland.          

"If he (Hargreaves) definitely wants to go there (to England) we can't change that. At the moment he has to be happy when he plays," Hitzfeld told the 'Munchner Merkur'.

"On Owen I have to say: You should not expect too much of him."

Hargreaves is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far refused extension suggestions from the Munich hierarchy.

He has made 11 outings for Bayern in the league this season, four as substitute, and is highly-rated at the Olympic Stadium.       

Meanwhile, Hitzfeld has pledged to fulfil his contract at the club after what has been a turbulent time for the former Maths teacher.

"I have one clear aim - and that is to still be coach here in 2004," declared Hitzfeld.

"I intend to continue working as seriously, as passionately and as conscientiously as I have done over the last 20 years. I don't see any reason to change."