Khan attacks Klinsmann for being left on bench

Oliver Kahn has launched an attack on coach Jurgen Klinsmann after being consigned to the role of number two goalkeeper at the World Cup.

The Bayern Munich man admitted he would “never understand” Klinsmann´s decision to hand Arsenal´s Jens Lehmann the starting job.

Television pictures of Germany´s 2-0 second-round victory over Sweden confirmed that a grim-faced Kahn was not enjoying himself at the end of the German bench.

The 37-year-old has kept his disappointment to himself since Germany started their preparations in mid-May, but has now publicly bemoaned his fate.

“There was talk that he (Lehmann) was supposedly better than me, but do you replace a long-time number one, who is playing constantly, just because someone else is a ‘tick‘ better?,” he told Spiegel magazine.

“That is no explanation for me. And since there has been no (explanation) as of today, there is probably none.

“I clearly said to him (Klinsmann) that I could never understand why I am not the number one any more.”

Kahn cited Fabien Barthez, Edwin van der Sar and Gianluigi Buffon as examples where performance and experience were key in the selection process.

“Where is the difference?” he said. “I played two years at the highest level, played well in my Champions League matches, won two German championships and German Cup trophies. There was no reason to remove the number one.”

He added: “The way to the bench has been a tough one every time. I observe the match, try to make myself a picture of the sports-related aspect but afterwards I leave for the locker room as soon as possible.”