Jens Lehmann to take up coaching badges

Former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to start his coaching licence degree soon, but not in his home country of Germany instead in Wales which has only been made possible by a special exemption from European football governing body UEFA.

The German FA (DFB) in 2011 had held a special shorter coaching licence course for former internationals who had represented Germany in more then 20 international matches. The course combined the DFB ‘B’ and ‘A’ coaching licence with no one year practical experience as is usual for the ‘A’ licence coaching degree. Former internationals like Oliver Kahn, Stefan Effenberg and Thomas Strunz took part with Jens Lehmann also supposed to take part, but he dropped out as he returned to FC Arsenal last season as back-up goalkeeper.

Now Lehmann has been looking for options where he could get his coaching degree with short attendence intervals and longer presence at practical units which has led him to the Football Association of Wales. Now getting the okay from UEFA he will be able to do his coaching degree with his practicals set to be at his former team FC Arsenal Reserves.

But UEFA is set to discuss this issue over the summer to avoid coaching degree tourism amongst former internationals in nations which suit their plans rather then the rules which should apply for everyone.