Bayern's sporting director Uli Hoeness however left the door open for Deisler saying that his contract, extended in December 2005 till 2009, would be maintained for the moment.

"I no longer have confidence in my knee which has tormented me these last few years," said Deisler in a hastily-arranged press conference in Munich. "I will stick to my decision which has grown within me."

Deisler, who played 36 times for Germany and scored three goals, was for some time considered as the most talented player of his generation but never managed to compete in the finals of a major tournament for his country.