Why Babbel decided he didn't want Ribery at the Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers have officially pulled out of the race to sign Franck Ribery with coach Markus Babbel declaring the club aren't ready for a player of his calibre.

Babbel had previously reached out Ribery, who left Bayern Munich at season's end and is looking for a new challenge after over a decade in the Bundesliga.

While a possible deal was always going to be difficult to negotiate, Babbel himself decided against pursuing the French winger.

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"I decided that I did not want (Ribery) because I don’t think we are ready for a player like him," Babbel told The Age.

"First we need to get success to have this feeling in the club...then maybe we can think about a player like him.

"I…