Lehmann Is Klinsmann's Choice
(Goal.com) - Jens Lehmann will play for Germany at the World Cup finals after coach Jürgen Klinsmann named the Arsenal goalkeeper his number one ahead of long-time incumbent Oliver Kahn.
"This was the most difficult decision of my term," said Klinsmann. "After the match against the USA, we have carefully analysed developments over the past 22 months and have now made our decision. Of course Oliver is disappointed but he showed himself as a true sportsman." The decision - announced on the DFB Web site - was almost two years in the making with Klinsmann stripping Kahn of the captaincy and then of his acknowledged number one status as soon as he took control of the national team in August 2004.
"Both goalkeepers have extraordinary ability but we are convinced that Jens Lehmann fits better with our playing philosophy," said goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke. Kahn expressed his sadness at the decision shortly after the announcement on Friday afternoon. "I am very surprised about this decision from Jurgen Klinsmann and absolutely disappointed. I will now, in the coming weeks, fully concentrate on my duties with Bayern Munich," he said.
Kahn has suffered from injury in recent months but has been in excellent form for Bayern Munich during their march to what looks like another Bundesliga title. Lehmann has similarluy been solid for Arsenal during their run to the Champions' League semi-finals and seems to have beenfitted from Klinsmann's determination to stamp his own authority on the current Germany side.
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Comments
We haven't seen the last of the Wrath of Kahn.
Posted by: howser | April 7, 2006 11:41 AM
I think that it was an extremely tough choice to make between the two keepers, but I think that Lehmann was the right choice because I've seen the recent champions league and premier league games and I think that Lehmann is in good shape, but I don't think Kahn should react in that way because there are still 2 and 1/2 months until the world cup which is plenty of time for klinsmann to change his mind so I think that Kahn should work even harder for the national team.
Posted by: Federico Antonelli | April 7, 2006 05:04 PM
i don't think klinsmann made a good descision.
next thing we know klinsmann decides to replace Ballack, Podolski and Asamoah. People didn't beleive in him 4 years ago but without him and his expertise they probably wouldn't have made it second place. Even Zidane made it. So i believe that we should give him a chance.
Posted by: expert | April 11, 2006 02:12 PM