The goalkeeper situation

MUTU

The goalkeeper situation at Bayern is currently critical. Here's a rundown of my knowledge of events.

1) Bayern's third goalkeeper, Bernd Dreher, will retire at the end of the season.
2) Bayern are considering giving a professional contract to Bayern's youngster Kraft starting from next season.
3) Bayern had promised Rensing that he will be the #1 at Bayern when Kahn retires and that they have complete faith in him.
4) Bayern have been reported to be interested in a lot of goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann, Craig Gordon, Mark Schwarzer and Artur Boruc (more info on the transfer list).
5) Bayern have offered Kahn a 1 year extension to his contract which runs out next season.
6) Rensing is frustrated at the situation and has supposedly threatened to leave if Kahn signs a contract extension.

bogdan

here are my options for next season:
1.Rensing/Boruc
2.Gordon
3.Kraft

MUTU

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn confirmed in the German press on Sunday that he will hang up his boots at the end of next season.

His club had hoped he would sign a contract extension but Kahn reiterated his desire to call it quits in June 2008.'

My career as a goalkeeper will definitely end on June 30, 2008,' said the the 37-year-old in Die Welt newspaper.

Kahn is still the first choice shot-stopper at Bayern but has been surpassed by Arsenal's Jens Lahmann in the national team set-up and retired from the German team after the World Cup.

'Just like I did with the national team, I will leave at the top. I don't want to find myself in the situation where someone decides for me.'

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tried to urge Kahn to change his mind last month and sign a new contract.

However, that angered Kahn's understudy at Bayern, Michael Rensing, who has long been touted as the natural successor to the emblematic Kahn.

But Bayern bosses later confirmed that 22-year-old Rensing was indeed the man for the future.

'We signed him for that and for the moment, that's what should happen in 2008,' said the Munich club's general manager Uli Hoeness.

fa · Moderator Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 306 votes: 3

Imo, Rensing got the potential to become a great goalkeeper! He does got the skills, but need to gain experience. Its understandable that he threatens to leave because he's waiting for some years now to take over the Nr.1 shirt of Kahn.
Imo, he can become a serious contender for the spot of Goalkeeper in the national German team that will probably go to the WC in South Afrika 2010

soccerkyle

why would we need to waste money in the transfer market when rensing is a very good keeper and definintaly deserves to be the starter once Kahn retires

MUTU

I think that against Milan he gave a strong case. He had two great reflex saves and was only beaten by a fluke goal by Pirlo and by a very well taken Kaka penalty.

Having said that, Bayern will still need a 3rd keeper for next season (Dreher is retiring), who will be the 2nd keeper the following season (Kahn will be retiring).

Paddy · I'm a chatterbox! Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 748 votes: 7

MUTU

Posted by tracylynn:

Veteran Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn will not accept rotating with impressive youngster Michael Rensing.

The outspoken former Germany number one, 37, did praise the 22-year-old but insisted he was still the top keeper at Bayern.

"Michael is obviously a great talent," Kahn told Arena. "His time will come... But I've got a contract until 2008 and as long as I'm able to deliver above-average performances consistently, I don't think there's room for discussion just because a few younger keepers are doing well at other clubs."

The other younger keepers he was referring to are Manuel Neuer at Schalke and Rene Adler at Leverkusen, who this season ousted Hans Rost and Hans-Joerg Butt respectively.

He has played in 12 Bundesliga matches and two Champions League matches.

Kahn recently hinted he might stay beyond 2008, prompting Rensing to say he would want to leave in search of a starting spot if Kahn stayed.

MUTU

I have to say that no quote from Kahn ever pissed me off more than this one. First of all, he is NOT the coach, so he has no right to talk about that, and secondly, for the good of Bayern, the club he loves, he should know that it would be best to introduce Rensing slowly, giving him match practice in less critical league matches.

To get Rensing from a permanent bench-warmer to someone who plays 90 minutes in every match is a big mistake in my opinion. You can't just chuck him in the deep end like that. Let him get used to the job gradually.

charger256

Totally agree. Some of his late declarations are really annoying. He's not a super goalkeepr anymore, but still he blames everyone but him for the insucces.

MUTU

Also, according to kicker, Kahn's performances are lower than average, at least compared to the Bundesliga keepers. If I'm not mistaken, last time I heard he was rated 11th in the Bundesliga based on his performances this season.

MUTU

Seems like he went up the list now though.

http://www.kicker.de/fussball/bundesliga/topspieler/saison/2006-07/topspieler_position/1/topspieler_verein/0

He's ranked joint 7th right now. This is taken from the average match rating awarded by kicker to all players. Note that the way they give ratings, the lower the number the better it is... not like English where 10 would be the best you could get... these are from 5 (worst) to 1 (best)

Duncan

Hopefully the UEFA-Cup makes Kahn retiring

tracylynn

Don't get me wrong because I do like Kahn, however, the comments he has made this year are ridiculous. First, he made the comment about how Germany would've won the WC if he had started and now this. Unfortunately, he has gotten too cocky. I think he needs to be brought back down to earth, but I don't think anyone at Bayern has the guts to bring him back.

Duncan

I want a complete break in the squad composition and Kahn is definitely on my Goodbye-list since he is only a average goalkeeper in his last career days. So it's nothing personal though I think he is more occupied with other stuff than playing football (new girlfriend and so Rolling Eyes

)