Jurgen Klinsmann has opted to make Arsenal's Jens Lehmann his first-choice goalkeeper at this summer's World Cup.
Lehmann has been tussling with Oliver Kahn for Germany's coveted number one shirt and has now been given the nod over his Bayern Munich rival.
The final decision was made on Friday after a meeting between Klinsmann, his assistant Joachim Low, general manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.
Lehmann has been in sparkling form for The Gunners this season, whilst Kahn has shown unusual weakness in recent games for Bayern Munich leading many experts to predict that the former Schalke, Dortmund and Milan custodian would get the nod.
Both goalkeepers had publicly espoused their belief that they would be between the posts when Germany face Costa Rica in the World Cup opener on June 9 and it is not yet known whether Kahn will be prepared to sit out the tournament on the bench.
Lehmann won the first of his 29 international caps back in February 1998, but has yet to play a major tournament as first-choice keeper.
Explaining the decision, Kopke stated: "Both goalkeepers have amazing ability. We are, however, convinced that Jens Lehmann is better suited to the way we like to see the game played."
Bierhoff added: "The goalkeeper question has dominated discussions in the last weeks and the decision was extremely difficult for our coaches. I appeal to everyone to accept the decision and give both the team and Jens Lehmann their full support."
Lehmann has been tussling with Oliver Kahn for Germany's coveted number one shirt and has now been given the nod over his Bayern Munich rival.
The final decision was made on Friday after a meeting between Klinsmann, his assistant Joachim Low, general manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.
Lehmann has been in sparkling form for The Gunners this season, whilst Kahn has shown unusual weakness in recent games for Bayern Munich leading many experts to predict that the former Schalke, Dortmund and Milan custodian would get the nod.
Both goalkeepers had publicly espoused their belief that they would be between the posts when Germany face Costa Rica in the World Cup opener on June 9 and it is not yet known whether Kahn will be prepared to sit out the tournament on the bench.
Lehmann won the first of his 29 international caps back in February 1998, but has yet to play a major tournament as first-choice keeper.
Explaining the decision, Kopke stated: "Both goalkeepers have amazing ability. We are, however, convinced that Jens Lehmann is better suited to the way we like to see the game played."
Bierhoff added: "The goalkeeper question has dominated discussions in the last weeks and the decision was extremely difficult for our coaches. I appeal to everyone to accept the decision and give both the team and Jens Lehmann their full support."
