Magath urges Bayern fans not to boo Ballack

BERLIN, Apr 14 (Reuters) Bayern Munich fans are being urged not to boo Michael Ballack after the midfielder announced he was eager to move to Chelsea next season.

''A player like Michael Ballack, who has done so much for Bayern Munich, deserves a dignified send-off,'' Bayern coach Felix Magath said today on the eve of his team's match against Arminia Bielefeld.

Bayern are four points clear of Hamburg SV at the top of the Bundesliga table.

The Germany captain was booed in Munich at Bayern's last home match against Cologne two weeks ago -- even before it was clear that he would be leave the league leaders after four years.

The midfielder's contract at Bayern runs out at the end of the season. He has rejected a reported 43.76 million dollars offer to sign a new deal with the German champions.

In London, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said today Ballack was still mulling over a move to the English champions.

''He is thinking positive about that but he has never told me 'Next season I will be at Chelsea' so I still wait,'' he said.

Ballack had said the talks were in an advanced stage and that he hoped the transfer could be completed before the World Cup begins on June 9 so that discussions or speculation about his future would not interfere with Germany's preparations.

REUTERS PG BD0038