Crucial year for Altintop

Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop has revealed that next season could be his last with the Bavarians should he not manage to make the breakthrough into the first team.

The Turkey international signed a new one-year contract in the summer, turning down several lucrative offers to leave, but he says the term of his new deal is no coincidence as he has set himself an ultimatum to succeed next season.

"I don't always want to be a spectator," he said. "Therefore, I told myself 'come on, give it a go for one more year'. I am grateful to the management team that they accepted my wish."

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old, who spent much of last season on the bench, is not putting himself under too much pressure.

"I know that I am the challenger," he told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. "Therefore, I cannot lose, which keeps me relaxed.

"Bayern Munich is top, the team is intact and I have settled in well in Munich. This is a team which can challenge again for the Champions League.

"And, as stupid as it may sound, you can always leave here."