Oliver Kahn hits out at Klinsmann

BERLIN: Germany's former first-choice goalkeeper Oliver Kahn says coach Jurgen Klinsmann still owes him an explanation for dropping him before the World Cup.            
 

The Bayern Munich keeper admitted in an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel that he will never understand why he was replaced by Arsenal's Jens Lehmann.           

"I have told him (Klinsmann) clearly that I will never comprehend why I am no longer number one," said Kahn, who was number one choice when Germany made the 2002 final losing 2-0 to Brazil.         

"I would have expected a full explanation. But as there has not been one yet, there probably ever will be."            

Klinsmann had explained his decision - which made front-page headlines in Germany - by saying Lehmann was performing a "tick" better than Kahn.   

Kahn said: "I am sorry, but do you change the man who has been first choice for years and who is playing consistently just because of a 'tick'?         

"That is not reason enough for me. I have been playing at the very highest level for the past two years, I've done well in Champions League games, won the German league and cup twice and have enormous tournament experience.     

"There was really no reason to change the goalkeeper."   

Kahn, who has had a long and personal feud with Lehmann in any case, has cut a reserved figure on the German bench in contrast to the overjoyed reaction of his fellow substitutes who greet every German goal by leaping out of the dugout.       

The 37-year-old said it was "unpleasant" to be a substitute. Germany face Argentina in the quarter-finals in Berlin on Friday.