Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn hit out at Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann for relegating him to the bench without sufficient explanation, Sky Sports reported on Sunday. Klinsmann had informed the veteran shot stopper that he will play second fiddle to Arsenal's Jens Lehmann during the 2006 World Cup finals. "Normally, I'd have expected a thorough explanation (from Klinsmann)," Kahn told German magazine Der Spiegel. "But as there hasn't been one up until now, there probably won't be one," the 37-year-old said. Kahn told the magazine he would not accept Klinsmann's decision to replace him with Lehmann, and his reactions during Germany's games have shown his frustration. "Until recently, I was firmly convinced I would be playing (in the World Cup)," he said. "Every walk to the bench has been tough. I watch the game, try to form an impression of the action and then disappear into the changing room as fast as possible." Shots of a grim-faced Kahn watching the match from the bench peppered television coverage of Germany's 2-0 second round victory over Sweden on Saturday.
Klinsmann Kahn, who guided Germany to the 2002 World Cup final after a series of steady performances, said the only explanation he had been told was that Lehmann was supposedly playing a "tick" better. "I'm sorry, but do you the replace the one who's been the number one for years when he's playing consistently because another keeper is supposed to be a "tick" better? While Lehmann helped Arsenal reach the UEFA Champions League final and hasn't conceded a goal in Germany's last three games, Kahn remains adamant. "That's no justification for me," he said. Kahn was voted the tournament's best player in 2002 and said his track record over the past few years has proven his dominance. "I've been playing right at the top level for the past two years, I've done well in my Champions league games, won the German league and German Cup twice, and have immense tournament experience," Kahn said. "There was actually no reason to change the number one," a frustrated Kahn said.
