Why Jens Lehmann could be a kick ass coach…or not?

It’s kind of daunting when you hear that the once international shot stopper of the German national squad is putting his hands up for a coaching role after his tenure with current club VfB Stuttgart is complete. Arsene Wenger dubbed Jens Lehmann as “super professional” in his time with The Gunners, even after a poor 2007-08 showing by the German and some terrible mistakes throughout his time at Emirates Stadium.

Apart from the much touted “attitude problem” (which of us doesn’t have a bad hair day…eh?), we should not be quick to forget that Lehmann has been honored by both UEFA and FIFA on a number of occasions throughout his career. But the question remains…does his tenure and ability as a world class goalkeeper translate into Lehmann becoming a wold class coach?

First, let’s look at two Italian maestro’s between the sticks whom had both played at the highest echelon of football and made a transition to become managers of top flight clubs. DIno Zoff was at the helm of a successful Juventus team whom won the the UEFA Cup (after which he was subsequently sacked).

After a number of hit and miss (mostly miss) situations as a manager in Romania, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, Walter Zenga has proved that with time, even a top flight goalkeeper can get things right at the managerial helm of Catania in the Serie A.

Lehmann recently stated that he had learned much from his time at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, whom is widely considered as one of the best coaches in the world:

“After each (of Wenger’s) speeches to the team, you would learn something new about football,” Lehmann told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

“During my first year at Arsenal, I started to take notes and I continued until my last season there,” he added. “I noted the course of the training sessions, the exercises that he made us do and I carefully arranged my notes. I do not have a coaching qualification, but I think that I could begin a career as a coach tomorrow.”

Lehmann’s career stretches over 638 appearances for top flight clubs in the Bundesliga, Serie A and The Premiership. Though under Wenger, Lehmann had certainly gathered how the Frenchman had the knack of uncovering young talent, building them into powerhouse players all on a very lean pocket whilst turning around a considerable profit for The Gunners.

The case in point here would be Nicholas Anelka, bought at a £500,000 pittance from Paris St. Germain, and his subsequent sale to Real Madrid for £22.3m just two years later. Apart from this, Wenger had a hand in developing world class players such as Thierry Henry and helping players such as Dennis Bergkamp reach the pinnacle of their careers.

Though, having the chance to play and ply your trade as a goalkeeper under one of the best managers in the world, does not automatically translate into you becoming a fantastic manager yourself. It takes many years to accomplish this, as much time as it may have taken to become a competitive goalkeeper at the top flight. Lehmann certainly has years of playing experience on his side, however questionable the tempremant. The key point is whether he has the business acumen and the managerial capability to take a club and turn it around at the highest level of football. That I know, will not happen over night.

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