Kahn: I'm not quitting
Oliver Kahn has declared himself ready to be Germany number one Jens Lehmann’s understudy at the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was informed by national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Friday that Arsenal stopper Lehmann would be Germany’s first choice.
That led to speculation, fuelled by Kahn saying he would consider his international future in the coming weeks, that the 36-year-old might retire from Germany duty before the finals.
But Kahn said today: “It’s important for the national team, in spite of the difficult situation for me, that I should want to be at the World Cup.
“It’s not about Oliver Kahn, not about personal need or vanity, it’s about something much bigger – the World Cup.
“What we need now is a positive atmosphere, a euphoria that will make it possible for us to be world champions. I would like to play my part in that.”
Germany host the World Cup and Kahn admitted he had been hit hard by the news he would not be an automatic selection.
“I have worked very hard for two years to reach the personal goal which I can now no longer reach,” he said.
But the man whose heroics helped Germany reach the 2002 World Cup final insisted it was not in his nature to be a quitter.
The goalkeeper continued: “That’s something I don’t know how to do, to crawl away quietly, I don’t do that.
“I have never run away from responsibility.
“The team, and that also includes Jens Lehmann, will have my absolute support and if I am needed I will be 100% there.”
Klinsmann, in a statement issued by the German Football Federation, expressed his satisfaction at Kahn’s reaction.
He said: “A big compliment for Oliver – his experience and his availability to play for the team and to do everything possible to help us at the World Cup is of tremendous importance.”
