Lehmann on English goalkeepers and coaching
Former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has expressed his thoughts on the current crop of English goalkeepers, and why clubs are preferring their foreign counterparts.
He disputes the notion that England have the best goalkeepers in the world, and said that they lack the required level of concentration or focus required to be considered world class.
The German international also revealed that English goalkeepers have been slow to react to the changes in the modern game for a goalkeeper.
And surprisingly, Lehmann has also expressed a desire to enter coaching.
He said: "Every country thinks that [they have the best goalkeepers].
"The Germans think that, the Spanish think that and the Italians are also very proud of their keepers.
"Sometimes goalkeepers over here are not going to school long enough.
"When you are a goalkeeper you must hold your concentration level very high throughout 90 minutes, sometimes 120, sometimes 150. The best way to learn that is at school with academic focus on tasks. When you leave school at 16 you don't have it, you lose it.
"That's probably why the foreign goalkeepers are coming over. I know some of them and they are bright people, like Petr Cech and Edwin van der Sar.
"You have good goalkeepers, like David James, and Joe Hart is quite promising.
"I talk to our physio Gary Lewin, who was a goalkeeper at Arsenal, and he says he was brought up never to come off his line because that's not your area. That's the first massive mistake you can make.
"When I first came here, I came off my line for crosses and long balls. I was clearing them sometimes 40 yards in front of the goal. I helped my defenders and the whole team because it means they can play higher up the pitch.
"The bottom line is that most people don't really understand what a good goalkeeper is — even coaches. Everybody thinks, 'Wow this guy is making great saves', but as a goalkeeper you think, 'This guy is really good but this guy, well, you never need to fear competition from him'.
"After playing for 20 years, it would ruin my body. It's the kicking, kicking, kicking. As a normal coach it's mental pressure, mental demands.
"I've learned a lot on the sidelines — about the boss making his decisions, how you feel as a sub and the mentality of players who come on and make a difference.
"As a goalkeeper you can't be selfish. You are the guy who has to throw his body against the ball because somebody else made a mistake 30 yards in front of you.
"Football is about entertainment. If you don't entertain, people don't want to see you. But the most important thing is to entertain by winning."
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Mutiu adejumo
Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 06:47 PM - Reply
It is just a great job.
Toju Apo
Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 04:43 PM - Reply
Quite astute analysis from someone i could've sworn was rabid. He'll make a good coach. Motivation - 20, working with youngsters - 20, Judging a player's potential - 11 (case in point: Almunia). FM Maniacs, are you with me?!
Shaun
Posted on 15 May, 2008 at 05:21 PM - Reply
Legend. Smart man. Wenger give him another season!
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I've learned a lot on the sidelines — about the boss making his decisions, how you feel as a sub and the mentality of players who come on and make a difference.
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