Kahn urges Lehmann to quit after red card row

(EPA)

Oliver Kahn has told Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann that he should retire after he was sent off for stamping last weekend.

Kahn and Lehmann sustained a bitter feud for several years when they were both fighting for the Germany No 1 jersey, but they appeared to make peace at the 2006 World Cup finals when Kahn retired from international football. Two years later, Kahn brought his glittering career to an end just short of his 40th birthday, but Lehmann has carried on playing after turning 40.

However, after Lehmann criticised his club and then stormed off at the end of Stuttgart's 1-1 draw with Mainz after receiving a red card for stamping on striker Arustide Bance and giving away a penalty, Kahn has advised him to bring the curtain down on his career now.

"Maybe it would be better for him to retire now," Kahn said. "Who knows where things might yet lead. Jens is a good goalkeeper, but what should the management [at Stuttgart] think?

"There is no point to it anymore. Stuttgart's management have got to work out whether Lehmann is helping or damaging the team."

Lehmann will miss Stuttgart's final Bundesliga fixture of the year against Hoffenheim due to suspension, although he may be banned for up to three matches. However, after a talk with coach Christian Gross yesterday, it does not seem likely that Lehmann is going to follow Kahn's advice. "I am convinced that Jens will be fully motivated after the preparation for the second half of the season and will do all he can to end his career on a high in the summer of 2010," said Gross.

Lehmann must still meet with the club's director of sport Horst Heldt when possible sanctions for his behaviour will be discussed, as will the €40,000 (£35,000) fine they imposed last week which the former Germany international has refused to pay.

Meanwhile, the Nürnberg general manager Martin Bader claims he has received death threats after his side lost their third consecutive game at the weekend. Nürnberg were beaten 4-0 at home by Hamburg on Saturday to slump to second from the bottom of the Bundesliga and Bader has revealed that he has been receiving threats ever since. "The police called me and said that it would be better if I did not set foot outside my door today," he said.