This year will be the last of Jens Lehmann's colorful and controversial career.
Can he, I ask, get through the final six months before retirement without any more oafish incidents? Even by Jens' standards, 2009 was an exceptional year for the Stuttgart goalkeeper.
1) February 18, 2009. Jens tore off the headband of team-mate Khalid Boulahrouz after the Dutchman headed the ball out for a corner in a match against Zenit St. Petersburg. He was furious that his team-mate hadn't defended properly. Exacting standards our Jens.
2) February 21, 2009. In the 86th minute of a thrilling 3-3 draw between Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, opposition midfielder Sejad Salihović's boot fell off 22 yards from goal. As play continued, Jens nipped out of his area, picked up the boot, back-peddled, and threw it over his shoulder onto the top of the net. It was bizarre and childlike behaviour but strangely fascinating. He later claimed he was attempting to get Salihović back for a foul on one of his team-mates. What a unique form of retribution.
3) December 9, 2009. During a 3-1 win over Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League, Jens took the opportunity to relieve himself behind the goal, with the match still in play. The manner in which he crouched down discreetly was priceless, before hotfooting it back onto the pitch, with the opposition mounting an attack.
4) December 13, 2009. 'Mad Jens' was sent-off late in a 1-1 draw against Mainz for stamping on an opponent's foot and was desperate to leave the ground quickly after the match. But he got lost and ended up mixed in with ordinary supporters. A Stuttgart fan asked him "Jens, why can't you be normal?" and his reaction to this was to walk away with the man's glasses. The man pleaded for them back, and Jens eventually gave them to another fan who returned them to their owner.
Jens also found time to lambaste the Stuttgart board over their decision to sack coach Markus Babbel, suggesting they were bowing to a young group of fans who "are just going through puberty."
When I think back to his Arsenal days, my main memory is of his fracas with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. The German ran over to Drogba and pushed him to the ground after taking exception to something he did. The Ivory Coast star retaliated by barging into Jens, promoting a theatrical fall. The sight of the two of them collapsing pathetically was pure comedy gold, like something out of Laurel & Hardy.
The 40-year-old has always exhibited strange behavior, but even by his standards 2009 was a vintage year.
What crazy capers does he have planned for us in 2010 I wonder? We'll have to wait a while to find out because the German FA have banned him for three games for that stamp.
Photo © Getty Images
Comments