Kahn urges old rival Lehmann to quit

(GSM) – On Tuesday, controversial Jens Lehmann received unexpected advice. Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn told his old colleague to quit football. “Maybe it would be better for him to retire now. Who knows where things might yet lead.”

Lehmann was involved in several incidents in the last couple of days. First, the VfB Stuttgart goalie criticised the club bosses for sacking coach Markus Babbel. Then, on Sunday he received a red card and gave away a penalty in the draw against Mainz (1-1). Stuttgart backed his goalie, which is hard to believe for Kahn.

“Jens is a good goalkeeper, but what should the club think? There is no point to it anymore. Stuttgart’s management have got to work out whether Lehmann is helping or damaging the team,” Kahn said to German paper TZ. Kahn and Lehmann sustained a bitter feud for several years when they were both fighting for the Germany number one jersey but they appeared to make peace at the 2006 World Cup when Kahn retired from international football.

However, after a talk with coach Christian Gross at training on Monday, it does not seem like Lehmann is going to follow Kahn’s advice. “”I am convinced that Jens will be fully motivated after the preparation for the second half of the season and will do all he can to end his career on a high in the summer of 2010,” said Gross.