Talks have broken down between former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg about the possibility of him becoming the club’s new sporting director.
Nürnberg, quite literally nicknamed ‘Der Club’, had entered negotiations with Lehmann with the idea of him succeeding Martin Bader as the sporting director of the second division side, with Bild reporting the negotiations.
Bader will step down from his role on at the end of the month, and Nürnberg want his replacement to take charge immediately on the 1st October, but Lehmann won’t be that man after talks on Monday afternoon.
Nürnberg’s commercial director, Dr. Thomas Grethlein, told Sport1 that, despite talks, Lehmann won’t be the man to take over.
“We have been in contact and there were exploratory talks, but we will not pursue this further. The subject took care of itself due to several reasons on his (Lehmann’s), as well as on our, part.”
Lehmann is currently working in Germany as a pundit, where he has come under some criticism. The former goalkeeper will always be an incredibly divisive figure and, though I admire him greatly, I can’t help but think Nürnberg have done the right thing.
Can you really imagine having Jens Lehmann as a senior behind the scenes figure at your football club?