Kahn Continues to Fume From Bench But Wills Germany On
June 28, 2006
The 37-year-old Kahn was Germany's number one goalkeeper for eight years but after a two-year battle for the jersey Jens Lehmann came out on top.
The Bayern Munich man has cut a glum figure at the finals but said he was still right behind the team.
"I am only human and I want to be active. If a player is happy to be on the substitute's bench you should send him home from the World Cup straight away," Kahn said at Wednesday's press conference.
"However I will do everything for this team to win the trophy. I have always said I wanted to be world champion. I came close in 2002. If I can do that now -- even though I am not playing -- it will be a major achievement."
Kahn was voted best player at the 2002 World Cup after inspiring Germany to the final, although a blunder in the final helped Brazil to a 2-0 win.
World Cup hero still has a role to play says coach
Despite stripping Kahn of the captaincy on his arrival in August 2004 and making him second choice; Klinsmann has stressed Kahn's importance to the team.
"The further we go in the competition, the more Kahn contributes to our success," said Klinsmann.
His haul of 85 caps makes Kahn the most experienced player in the Germany squad and he is passing on knowledge to his younger team-mates. "I am obsessed by winning titles and being the number one so helping the team is giving me a new perspective," Kahn revealed.
"I am not finding it difficult spending a few weeks here. I think it is fair to say I bring my experience to the team. Sometimes the younger players need to be pushed or given an arm around the shoulder. I can do that."
"Of course I want to play. But Jürgen Klinsmann chose Jens Lehmann and I have to accept that."
Just three days ago Kahn complained that he did not understand why Lehmann was favored over him and said Klinsmann had still not given him an explanation.
Kahn respects Lehmann's performances despite feud
The two goalkeepers were involved in a bitter war of words in the press making Kahn's demotion harder to swallow but the veteran goalkeeper admitted Lehmann had acquitted himself well so far.
"Jens is having a good tournament. We have kept three clean sheets in a row and that says something for him," Kahn said.
Lehmann will be in goal again against Argentina on Friday and Kahn says there is no reason to fear the South Americans after last year's two friendlies ended 2-2.
"We have come close to beating Argentina. We have tended to draw against the top teams but this time we will have extra-time or even penalties," Kahn explained.
"Everyone knows how good Germany are at penalties."
No thoughts of coaching future
Kahn's future after the tournament is uncertain and he refused to say whether he would retire from international football. "I don't know. I am focused on the World Cup and can not make long-term plans at my age," Kahn said.
Asked on a possible career as a coach Kahn replied: "I am not thinking of going into coaching. It is not easy as a goalkeeper. There are not many goalkeepers who have made successful coaches."
Italy's legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff, a World Cup winner in 1982, is perhaps the best known goalkeeper to turn his hand to coaching.