Klinsmann has decided: Germany's number 1 is...

[kotto_bass]

Hello guys, been out of the loop for a bit and catching up with life (Bayern's exit from CL didn't help). You know, sometimes things happen but I'm happy to be back ;)
I have been a fan of Kahn for a long time, and was pretty surprised at the decision. But I've watched Lehmann of late, and his instincts and judgements have been very impressive. However, the main issue with Lehmann is his past few years. Those who have watched him at Arsenal since he joined them know that he can be scaringly unpredictable and was once relegated to the bench. Wenger could have got a new keeper, but it seems Arsenal had a tight budget and so they had to keep the faith. But if recent form is the basis of choice (which to me is more important for a player than a keeper), Lehmann obviously gets the upper hand.

[JeffS]

See, saying it like that makes it seem like coaching the NT is a burden, and something he just wants to get over with. I don't think the criticism of him not being 100% devoted to the cause will go away anytime soon.

Great point. Coaching the German national team, as hard as it might be and as much criticism one would receive, has to be considered both an honor and a priviledge.

I'm sure Klinsi is stressed out, but I'm sure he is enjoying the challenge just the same.

My other comment came from the standpoint of realizing that nobody else wanted the position - Not Hitzfeld, not Rehhagel (sp?). Rudi Voeller kind of reluctatly took it on, and before him Germany had to settle for the woefully unqualified Ribbeck. And if Klinsi didn't throw his hat in the ring this go around, the DFB might have had to settle for the coke snorting Christoph Daum. :rolleyes:

Let's face it, coaching the German national team is not a walk in the park, and many of the top German coaches avoid it like the plague. Klinsmann interrupted his nice family life in So Cal, where he has his successful consluting business, and gets to hang out on the beach, and hang out with the L.A. Galaxy, to take on the challenge that nobody else wanted.

Nevertheless, coaching the German national team should be considered a great honor, and something every top coach should aspire to, without waiting for someone else to come along and "fix" things first.

You listening Ottmar Hitzfeld??

[F96]

BILD
http://img447.imageshack.us/img447/5356/kahn0qh.jpg

[Jaison]

And if Klinsi didn't throw his hat in the ring this go around, the DFB might have had to settle for the coke snorting Christoph Daum. :rolleyes:


I wouldn't mind Daum at all as our NT coach. He is an excellent and very tactically astute coach, which is one of Klinsmann's definite shortcomings IMO.

[Jaison]

BILD
http://img447.imageshack.us/img447/5356/kahn0qh.jpg


Awwww...

Let's all give Ollie a group hug....

:D ;)

[smithfan]

I wouldn't mind Daum at all as our NT coach. He is an excellent and very tactically astute coach, which is one of Klinsmann's definite shortcomings IMO.

agreed.

[ohk4]

Awwww...

Let's all give Ollie a group hug....

:D ;)
as I remove his billfold out of his back pocket.

[BMike86]

I still think that Kahn has a great chance to start in atleast a match for the NT in the WC. Kahn is definately not bad, he was what Germany stood for, for many years, he was their heart and soul and backbone. I just can't see him not even getting a chance. He has handled this whole situation soo professionally.

[ForeverRed]

Can't they still give Kahn the #1 jersey and let Lehmann start with number 12 or 9 for that matter....:p

[AllReD]

Can't they still give Kahn the #1 jersey and let Lehmann start with number 12 or 9 for that matter....:p

If Lehmann has one once of honour in his bones he should know that he should leave khan with is #1 jersey

[makkay]

If Lehmann has one once of honour in his bones he should know that he should leave khan with is #1 jersey
lehmann hahahahahahahaahhahahaha.
focking football. not fair is it? why the hell would anybody pick lehmann over kahn even if kahn had one arm cut off. but i guess klinsi just wanted to piss bayern off. fock him. he is definitly not one of my favorite players anymore.
he just killed his career as a coach. i knew it was coming. i guess everyone knew. lehmann knew he was number one when klinsi was appointed. just look at the last two years, lehmann did not make any comments about kahn or his girlfriend or any of that BS. the two years prior to euro 2004 he was making all of those nonsense comments. do you think lehmann would have shut the fock up if he did not know? i don't.
fock klinsi, koepke and lehmann fock'em all.

[poorvi]

There are some glaring weaknesses in Lehmann's game style. It became more evident in yesterday nights champions league game. Lehmann is a very good keeper when it comes to saving shots during open play. But he is poor at judging deadball situations. On 3 different occassions, he did not time his reaction to the free-kick properly. He punched the Riquelme free kick back into the box, where he should have caught it or punched it out. This did not do Arsenal any harm, but if your cenrebacks are slow like Huth and Mertesacker, this can mean a conceeded goal.Similar things happened against Real Madrid also. He also failed to collect a free kick and had to collect the rebound.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

There are some glaring weaknesses in Lehmann's game style. It became more evident in yesterday nights champions league game. Lehmann is a very good keeper when it comes to saving shots during open play. But he is poor at judging deadball situations. On 3 different occassions, he did not time his reaction to the free-kick properly. He punched the Riquelme free kick back into the box, where he should have caught it or punched it out. This did not do Arsenal any harm, but if your cenrebacks are slow like Huth and Mertesacker, this can mean a conceeded goal.Similar things happened against Real Madrid also. He also failed to collect a free kick and had to collect the rebound.

Yea, but when you're facing Juan Ramon Riquelme and David Beckham and Roberto Carlos, I think you can be forgiven for just getting a fist to the ball. Deadball situations are hard because the ball travels with such pace and verve that any gk will have troubles.

[BMike86]

what a fricken save by Lehmann!!! he stopped the pk in the 2nd leg of the semifinal against Villareal. I think it was Riquelme too who had taken it. He's in great form now, idk what he is on, but it is some good stuff. I was utterly amazed by his two performances vs Villareal.

[makkay]

what a fricken save by Lehmann!!! he stopped the pk in the 2nd leg of the semifinal against Villareal. I think it was Riquelme too who had taken it. He's in great form now, idk what he is on, but it is some good stuff. I was utterly amazed by his two performances vs Villareal.
i focking knew he was gonna stop it. the guy is just so focking lucky this year. believe me i like arsenal. i just don't like to see lehmann happy. he just guessed right. it is like that with penalties. man villareal dominated the game. and by the way he did not do shit in both games. he was just lucky with the penalty and i knew he was gonna save it just because of luck.
could this day have been any worse?

[ForeverRed]

Long Live Lehmann!

[P1brit]

one save like that in the wc and people will be off his back for sure

[smithfan]

Lehmann superhero! :D

[AllReD]

sorry to say but Lehmann with be the bigest disaster in the WC along with the NT. I just dont know how they are goin to pull this one off. And what i dont hear anybody talking about is the number of yellow cards Ballack gets. so when he get his 3rd and oh yes he most definatley will, who is gonna captain this side in the following game. Who is gonna kick the asses of the players who arnt giving 100%. whos gonna stand up to a ref so atleast we can get a marginal call in our favour.

Answers please.


hoping against hope but i think im starting to face the reality. :(

[prymetyme]

hey i dont have a problem if he can play like this in the WC...