Dec
15
Khan and Lehmann at it again
Filed Under Players | Leave a Comment
The feud between German goalkeepers Oliver Khan and Jens Lehmann looks set to continue, with the former calling the latter to join him in retirement. Khan, who will go down as one of the game’s most legendary keepers, retired two years ago, a bit before his 40th birthday. Lehmann, who had to stand in as his replacement in the national team for most of his career, is taking full advantage of the opportunity, and has no plans to retire even after reaching 40 himself.
Khan had this to say to the AZ newspaper:
“Maybe it would be better for him to retire now. Who knows where things might yet lead? Jens is a good goalkeeper, but what should the management think? There is no point to it anymore. Stuttgart’s management have got to work out whether Lehmann is helping or damaging the team.”
These comments refer to some of Lehman’s most recent controversial antics, including publicly criticizing his Stuttgart coaches and throwing a tantrum when red-carded in a 1-1 draw against Mainz, costing his team the victory.
Fans who have followed Lehmann’s career are well familiar with his sometimes bizarre behavior, but with all due respect to Oliver Khan, a player should be free to choose when to retire or not. If the managers no longer deem him good enough to play, he may have no option, but as long as he is doing a better job than others, he should carry on. Plus, the football world would be a bit more boring without him.