ESPNsoccernet: Europe

Hertha Berlin coach Markus Babbel has confirmed that he will not be extending his contract beyond the end of the season, although he still hopes to see the job through until May.

Only hours before Berlin's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim on Saturday, rumours surfaced that Berlin's director of sport Michael Preetz had met with former Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt coach Michael Skibbe to discuss him taking over from Babbel in January.

After the 1-1 draw in Hoffenheim, Babbel decided to bring an end to the speculation about his future by announcing his departure.

"In my eyes, I informed him (Preetz) of my decision in good time,'' Babbel told Sky television. "That was back in November during the international break.

"What I don't understand is all the commotion. I am an employee of this club and I have always stuck to what I have been told, which is to keep things quiet and calm.

"Things just got carried away and it was terribly difficult for the lads and also for me."

Babbel has not revealed why he has decided to walk away from the club he led into the Bundesliga in his first year in charge last season, other than to say he "wanted a change".

"I told him (Preetz) that I am firmly committed to fulfilling my contract, but that for reasons that I will not go into now, I wanted a change," Babbel added. "I want to finish what I started with the lads and it is just a shame because I cannot understand all of the commotion in Berlin.

"I would be delighted if I could remain with the team until the end of my contract. We could see again today that the team wants to take this through to the end, but at the end of the day, I cannot influence that."