Tarnat shocked by Bayern snub
The 33-year-old left back has been at the club since 1997 and is disappointed to end his spell in Bavaria.
"Uli Hoeness [Bayern's general manager] told me that my contract won't be extended and I have to admit that I was really sad," confessed Tarnat.
"I have been at Bayern since 1997 and felt like being part of a family and therefore it's a bitter blow to get told that you have to leave. I had hoped to stay on for two more years and at the beginning it was like a shock, a world collapsed for me.
Bayern's failure to win any silverware last season saw the club cull their ageing squad and showed the door to former key figures like playmaker Stefan Effenberg, German international Carsten Jancker or Brazilian ace Paulo Sergio.
Ciriaco Sforza and Pablo Thiam have also left the Olympic Stadium and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has now informed Tarnat that he no longer features in his plans.
"Apart from Oliver Kahn, every player at Bayern can be replaced, that's just the way it is," Tarnat told Kicker.
The left back is determined to continue his career and claimed that he is prepared to accept a significant pay-cut to find a new club.
"I want to continue for two or three more years. I haven't talked to any club yet. I am free of charge and any offer, from abroad or from the Bundesliga would be interesting, although I know that I won't be able to earn the same amount I got at Bayern," continued Tarnat.
Tarnat's job on the left side is expected to go to Wolfsburg's Under-21 star Tobias Rau, who has already agreed personal terms with Bayern, but will have to wait and see if the two clubs reach agreement about a transfer in June 2003.
