More Kahn

The Süddeutsche Zeitung had an interesting article yesterday on why Jens Lehmann should be standing between the posts this World Cup. Basically, the article harped on that German goalies tend to overstay their tenure as national goal keeper. In 1990 Germany won the cup with an outstanding Bodo Illgner. In 1994, Illgner insisted on being in goal even though Andi Köpke had developed into a better goalie. An out-of-form Illgner was in goal that year and Germany was eliminated early.

In 1996 Germany won the European Championship with an outstanding Andi Köpke in goal. In 1998 Köpke insisted in being in goal for the World Cup even though Oliver Kahn had developed into a better goal keeper. Köpke had a bad World Cup and Germany was eliminated early.

In 2002 Germany had an amazing run in the World Cup with an outstanding Oliver Kahn in goal. In 2006 Kahn is insisting that he be goalie even though Jens Lehmann has developed into a better keeper….

Let’s see if history repeats itself.