Kahn’s future plans
‘This will be my last season’
Dino Zoff was still keeping goal at 40, an ambition not shared by Oliver Kahn. However, the giant shot-stopper is determined to bow out of the professional game with three more winners’ medals. “I sense a real resolve to summon up everything I’ve got in my final season, to enjoy what I’ve been doing for 20 years one last time, and still be able to say afterwards: Fantastic, now for something new,” the 38-year-old declared on the eve of his 21st and final Bundesliga campaign.
The Bayern captain intends to retain the number one slot at the club. “As long as I deliver the goods and remain in peak condition, I’ll play through to the end of the season,” he commented. With 531 Bundesliga appearances to his name, Kahn lies fourth in the all-time ranking and could displace Klaus Fichtel (Schalke 04) in third if he can beat 552 career outings. Record holder Karl- Heinz Körbel (602) and Manfred Kaltz (581) are out of reach.
Off to Asia from Munich“You can never guarantee anything 1,000 percent, but mentally and in terms of my attitude, this will be my last season,” Kahn declared, “I’m absolutely certain I’ll end my career next summer.”
After that, the man who became famous as the “Titan“ at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan intends to switch his focus to the Far East. “Whenever I’ve visited China, Japan or Korea, I’ve witnessed huge interest in the business of goalkeeping, but also a real need for catching up,” Kahn reported. “I’m hoping to help them develop this area. I’ll be spending plenty of time over there.”
Kahn expects triumphBefore then, the club captain will go in pursuit of the maximum return from his final campaign. “Bayern is only an enjoyable place to be when you’re in first place. I’m assuming we’ll enjoy ourselves and I’ll be in a good mood,” he observed, “I want us to go all the way in all competitions, and win all the trophies.”
Kahn fully believes the new-look team can be successful, but warned that success does not come automatically. “In 1996, I was in what they called the Dream Team under Otto Rehhagel. We had a team featuring unbelievably high-quality players, but we had no end of problems,” he cautioned.
السبت يوليو 14, 2007 4:21 pm