Lehmann bows out at top for Germany

Discussions
Lehmann, who joined VfB Stuttgart from Arsenal FC this summer, has informed national coach Joachim Löw and goalkeeping trainer Andreas Köpke of his decision, which rules him out of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. He won his 61st and last cap in the 1-0 UEFA EURO 2008™ final defeat by Spain in Vienna.

Career ending
"I can't guarantee that I will still be playing football beyond the 12 months of my contract with Stuttgart," Lehmann said. "Therefore, I suggested that the Germany team no longer include me in their plans. I have had a great time with them, and the 2006 World Cup was a particularly special experience." Löw added: "We had a very good conversation and we were on the same wavelength. I thanked Jens for his great service to the team. He has done a lot for German football and was always an important part of the dressing room."

Decade in squad
Essen-born Lehmann made his international debut against Oman in February 1998 while still an FC Schalke 04 player. In a career taking him to AC Milan, BV Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, Lehmann spent most of his time in the Germany squad as understudy to Oliver Kahn, including at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, UEFA EURO 2000™ and UEFA EURO 2004™. He became the regular No1 during preparations for the 2006 World Cup, where he kept three clean sheets as the hosts finished third. Despite losing his place at Arsenal, Lehmann retained the faith of Löw for the UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign.

Successor
A successor to Lehmann has not been named. The leading candidates are Bayer 04 Leverkusen's 23-year-old custodian René Adler and Hannover 96's Robert Enke, 30, who backed up Lehmann at UEFA EURO 2008™. Germany play Belgium in a Nuremberg friendly on 20 August before opening their World Cup qualifying bid in Liechtenstein and Finland on 6 and 10 September. Wales, Azerbaijan and Russia will also compete in Group 4.