BERLIN — Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Champions League winner until 2017 and central defender Daniel van Buyten will stay on for another season, the club said Thursday. “We are delighted to have kept two key players with us,” said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement. “Franck and Daniel were outstanding in the past season and we counted on them to make the difference in the crucial games.” Frenchman Ribery, 30, enjoyed his most successful season since joining in 2007, scoring 10 goals in the Bundesliga and setting up another 14. “I had promised this to the fans and now the contract is done,” crowd favorite Ribery said. “For me and my family Munich is our second home and I am sure there are still one or two titles out there for us to win in the coming years.” The deal will also be welcomed by Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach who takes over at Bayern this month, with Bayern having also signed midfielder Mario Goetze from rivals Borussia Dortmund for next season. Van Buyten, at 35, was given a one-year extension to his deal following another solid season despite being second choice behind Jerome Boateng. The Belgium international, who joined the Bavarians in 2006, will also be an option next season following the cruciate ligament injury suffered by central defender Holger Badstuber who will be out for about 10 months. Baldini leaves Roma Sporting director Franco Baldini has left AS Roma by mutual consent, the Serie A club announced Thursday. Baldini, who in recent days said he took some of the responsibility for the Roman side's mediocre results the past two seasons, has been replaced by Walter Sabatini. The news comes amid intense rumors that former France coach Laurent Blanc is set to step in as coach to replace Aurelio Andreazzoli. Roma finished sixth in Serie A last season and out of the European places. A Europa League place was up for grabs in the Italian Cup, however, the Giallorossi lost the final to city rival Lazio. — Agencies
