German international retires

Germany keeper Jens Lehmann has announced his retirement from international football. After earning sixty-one caps over a ten year career he has decided to hang up his international gloves.

The former Arsenal player made his decision after a two-hour discussion with Germany manager Joachim Low.

Lehmann said he could not give any assurances that he would still be playing football after his one-year contract with new club Stuttgart expires.

He made his last appearance for Germany in the Euro 2008 final and didn’t make any quick decisions after that defeat. But after careful consideration, Lehmann said he had made up his mind to quit.

“I suggested to Low and to the goalkeeping coach, Andreas Koepke that they no longer include me in their plans for the German national team,” he told the German Football Federation’s website.

Lehmann signed for Arsenal in 2003, spending five mainly successful years with them before joining Bundesliga club Stuttgart at the end of last season.

(Source – BBC)