Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has slammed Michael Ballack for reviving a recent row with Germany coach Joachim Low. The Chelsea midfielder told Germany's Premiere television that he had "intentionally" gone public with his criticism of Low last month.
Although he claims his comments were not meant as a criticism, and were "blown out of proportion" by the German media, he said he had considered his words in a bid to "shake a few people up."
Ballack was summoned for clear-the-air talks by a furious Low and his future as Germany captain was in doubt until the pair met in Frankfurt and resolved their differences.
Beckenbauer believes Ballack is still skating on thin ice and cannot understand why he has decided to go public once again.
"I am speechless," he said. "I thought the whole issue had been dealt with. "It would be terrible if this whole issue turned into a never-ending story."
That should not be the case, though, since Low has already warned Ballack that his international career will be over if he steps out of line once again.
His latest comments have not been treated as criticism. "Michael has the right to express his opinion," Low told Bild newspaper.
Meanwhile, Beckenbauer believes Ballack is on the brink of boiling over once again. He told Premiere television: "I believe that Ballack is still very frustrated and that has carried over from Euro 2008 where he noticed a few shortcomings and complained.
"It is starting to weigh him down that he will probably always be the man who finished second. "Therefore, he is perhaps still a bit angry."
Ballack has won one Bundesliga title with Kaiserslautern, but lost in Champions League and DFB-Pokal finals with Bayer Leverkusen as well as in the Euro 2008 final with Germany and the Champions League again with Chelsea last season.
The Blues also finished as runners-up to Manchester United in the Premier League last season.