Bundesliga - Lehmann: Wenger was wrong

Eurosport - Thu, 26 Jun 14:59:00 2008

Stuttgart's new goalkeeper Jens Lehmann criticised ex-manager Arsene Wenger after he reached the Euro 2008 final with Germany.

FOOTBALL 2008 Lehmann - 0

Lehmann's five year association with Arsenal comes to an end this summer and he will return to his homeland with his next destination being the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

He endured a disappointing finale at the Emirates, reduced from being a cornerstone in the North London club's undefeated league run in 2003/2004 to a third-choice behind Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

Germany coach Joachim Loew had raised eyebrows on selecting Lehmann for the tournament due to a lack of playing time last season.

A public war of words with Almunia and the fact that he only appeared 12 times for the Gunners ensured that the German suffered a thoroughly frustrating campaign - and he has blamed Wenger for his plight.

He told the Daily Mail: "This achievement [of reaching the final] means a lot to me after a difficult season - but that difficult season was down to my manager.

"Arsene and I had some discussions about that and I have told him what I think about his decision but I'm quite proud to represent Arsenal in the final."

With his focus firmly on helping his country become European champions, the 38-year-old has refused to look further than Sunday's game when asked about his international future.

"I don't believe I'll announce a decision immediately after the final," he added.

"I don't have any time pressures."

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. he is goose-stepping nutcase

    From karlbillo, on Fri 27 Jun 1:53PM

  2. He won't be talking so tough after Germany bow out in the finals...

    From torontofcfan@ymail.com, on Fri 27 Jun 5:52AM

  3. if we put side by side his good points and his bad points during his stay in arsenal, that name calamity wont be mention.people fall to remember the good some one has done when he miss the target. why?

    From michael n, on Fri 27 Jun 5:40AM

  4. hurray...arsenal has finally got rid off calamity lehman....i will like to thank him for the loyal service he has given to the club...but the last three seasons...the german basket has also contributed to arsenal failure to win any trophy......presently arsenal do not have a credible goal minder.....proffesor wenger pls get rid of rid of the spainish basket too or make him no 2 to a gud keepin...he is also like lehman only that his name is aluminia

    From babeboy2g, on Fri 27 Jun 12:10AM

  5. oh yes and by the way lehmann

    just because u were good before u cant blame wenger for ure bad season

    From farisf16, on Thu 26 Jun 10:13PM

  6. All u arsenal fans who say good riddance to Lehmann are unloyal idiots.
    Think how much he did for arsenal in his days.
    Now because he's old u wanna criticise him.
    As an asrsenal fan i say good luck with the rest of your career

    From farisf16, on Thu 26 Jun 10:10PM

  7. Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!

    From thugskin, on Thu 26 Jun 9:54PM

  8. I haven't seen anything spectacular out of Lehmann. What is it about German goalies that they whine and put down everyone that might possibly challenge them for a position. He'll be benched in Stuttgart by game 15.

    From Maxx 92, on Thu 26 Jun 4:12PM

  9. From an exiled german; Sorry Lehman is rubbish, this moron actually waited for the ball to roll into his hands rather then go and block it (2nd goal). Why oh why do we have to put this whiner on the field? Yes I know the back-up has only played 2 or 3 international games, so what can't be worse or slower then grandma Lehman, maybe Wenger was right shelving him?????? YES!!!

    From vsrcdx, on Thu 26 Jun 2:52PM

  10. Wait until the finals, the coach will regret ever having this man

    From Chillie m, on Thu 26 Jun 1:57PM

  11. this guy is unbelievable. Germany reached the final despite his play, not because of it. As an Arsenal fan I say good riddance....

    From grover68, on Thu 26 Jun 1:55PM

  12. Lehman may have reached the final, but as a goalkeeper he has not exactly turned out to be the next Oliver Kahn, let alone Peter Schmiechel

    From Raajveer L, on Thu 26 Jun 1:14PM
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