Jens Lehmann: Coaching Degree in Wales

Former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to start his coaching licence degree soon, but not in his home country of Germany instead in Wales which has only been made possible by a special exemption from European football governing body UEFA.

The German FA (DFB) in 2011 had held a special shorter coaching licence course for former internationals who had represented Germany in more then 20 international matches. The course combined the DFB 'B' and 'A' coaching licence with no one year practical experience as is usual for the 'A' licence coaching degree. Former internationals like Oliver Kahn, Stefan Effenberg and Thomas Strunz took part with Jens Lehmann also supposed to take part, but he dropped out as he returned to FC Arsenal last season as back-up goalkeeper.

Now Lehmann has been looking for options where he could get his coaching degree with short attendence intervals and longer presence at practical units which has led him to the Football Association of Wales. Now getting the okay from UEFA he will be able to do his coaching degree with his practicals set to be at his former team FC Arsenal Reserves.

But UEFA is set to discuss this issue over the summer to avoid coaching degree tourism amongst former internationals in nations which suit their plans rather then the rules which should apply for everyone.

Jens Lehmann set for Schalke 04 return?

Former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann could make his second comeback in months at the age of 41 with another former club in FC Schalke 04 after he had come out of retirement for FC Arsenal London in March 2011.

Schalke last week confirmed the signing of 23 year old Ralf Faehrmann as their new number one to replace Manuel Neuer who has left the club for FC Bayern Munich. Now the club is in search for the right keeper as number two behind the young Faehrmann. There the club stumbled upon the name of their former keeper Jens Lehmann.

Lehmann had retired in summer 2010 after ending a two year stint with Stuttgart, but made a comeback for Arsenal on request from coach Arsene Wenger, who at the time had numerous keepers out injured. Lehmann only played a game for Arsenal, but is still interested to play rather retire for good.

The Essen born Lehmann had played in his youth for DJK Heisingen, Schwarz-Weiß Essen and FC Schalke 04 before he made his first team breakthrough for the royal blues. He thereafter went on to play for AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, FC Arsenal and VfB Stuttgart.

But Manuel Neuer doesn't think it would the right step by Schalke. Neuer told German tabloid Bild, "Lehmann was one of my favourite goalkeepers together with Edwin van der Sar. However, I have to be honest. I do not think that it would work out well if he joins Schalke. I would advise Schalke to have faith in Mathias Schober. He has been at Schalke for several years and has a lot of experience."

Goalkeeper Trouble: Lehmann takes Wiese to court

There is trouble in football Germany between a former and current international goalkeeper of the national. Jens Lehmann, who just made a surprise comeback at FC Arsenal, is suing SV Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese for €20,000 after Wiese suggested Lehmann belonged into a mental clinic.


What had happened?

In September last year Lehmann was the expert of the day for Sky Germany at the game Tottenham Hotspurs vs Werder Bremen UEFA Champions League match and he termed one of the Spurs goal a Wiese blunder by saying, "If he had taken a step out, he would have been able to catch the ball. He should not have stuck himself to the post but rather been more courageous to come out. He can certainly do better."

One needs to know that Wiese has had a strained relationship with Lehmann during their Bundesliga days and Wiese also has said Lehmann wouldn't shake hands with him pre-match. The day after the television criticism Wiese hit back in an interview in the Bild tabloid by saying, "He should go on the Muppet Show - that man belongs on the couch. Maybe he could get help there. But better would be he should check himself into a clinic - preferably a secure unit."

As a reaction Lehmann filed a lawsuit and is demanding compensation as Wiese "violated his personal rights" by making those statements. A Munich court is set to hear the case later this week, but both goalies are unlikely to be in court for the first hearing and it isn't clear what verdict the court would make.

It is surely a case to follow...

Lehmann could return to Arsenal

It would be the comeback of the season if former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann does join English Premier League club FC Arsenal London for the remainder of the season. Lehmann's former coach Arsene Wenger send an SOS to the German after injuries to the clubs two Polish keepers Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny, which left the club with only Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia with no serious back-up.

Wenger has been on the lookout for a free agent after deciding not to bring back Italian Vito Mannone, who is on loan at Championship side Hull City and then the idea to reactive Lehmann came about who is a former Arsenal fans favourite.

Lehmann had left Arsenal for VfB Stuttgart in 2008 and last summer ended his playing career, but a call by his former coach and the German is looking to prove his fitness to rejoin the Gunners. Lehmann would could as back-up for Almunia, the keeper to whom he had lost his place a few years ago.

Lehmann was part of the 'Invincibles' team along with Henry, Ljungberg, Pires and others which won the Premier League title in 2003/04, and has been in regular touch with Arsenal during his recent stay in England working on his coaching degree.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Lehmann said: "Arsenal currently have a goalkeeping crisis and I jumped at the chance to help them."