Nagelsmann criticizes Lehmann over Leno controversy

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has taken aim at Jens Lehmann for his comments on the country’s goalkeeper selection.

The four-time World Cup winners face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday night in the Nations League but will do so without No 1 goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, after the Barcelona star sustained a serious knee injury last month.

Fulham star Bernd Leno was called up by Nagelsmann for the upcoming internationals but turned down the opportunity after he was informed that he would not get any minutes.

Former Germany goalkeeper Lehmann revealed he was ‘surprised’ that Leno was not considered to start by Nagelsmann.

In response, without specifically mentioning Lehmann’s name, the Germany boss believes certain ‘experts’ should think before they speak on such subjects.

 No 1 goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen sustained a serious injury while playing for Barcelona

Bernd Leno was selected as third-choice keeper by Nagelsmann but chose to stay with Fulham

‘Many so-called experts have commented on this,’ Nagelsmann said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

‘Another expert this morning. It’s always good to know the background before you say something.’

With legendary stopper Manuel Neuer now retired, Nagelsmann has opted to start Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel in between the sticks against Bosnia.

The Germany manager also confirmed that 34-year-old Oliver Baumann will also get minutes and is in line to start against the Netherlands on Monday.

Knowing that he would only be third-choice, Leno has revealed that best thing for him was to stay with the Fulham squad, rather than joining up with the national team.

‘They told me that I would be there, but that I would not get a game,’ Leno told BILD. ‘That’s why I decided to train in London.

‘Julian knows that I am of course always there when they need me and that I can really help the team.

‘At 32 years old, I am no longer a newcomer, I have never put demands on Manuel and Marc, but have always delivered and never made jokes.’

Alexander Nubel (left) and Oliver Baumann (right) will both feature in ter Stegen’s absence

Lehmann is surprised that Leno has not been considered for the No 1 shirt by Nagelsmann

Leno has only won nine caps for his country due to the strength of Germany’s goalkeeping contingent over the years.

But with both Neuer and ter Stegen unavailable for different reasons, Lehmann, who made 61 appearances for Germany, believes that Leno should be in the running for the number one shirt.

‘I would have done the same if I were in his position,’ Lehmann told BILD. ‘I assumed that Leno and ter Stegen would compete for the number one spot after Manuel Neuer’s retirement.

‘He plays with Fulham in the Premier League, the most demanding league in the world. And he has better training in how to organise a defence.

‘That’s why I’m surprised at how things are going at the DFB now. But on the other hand, I’m not surprised either.’

While Nagelsmann seemingly did not agree with Lehmann’s comments, he has accepted Leno’s decision to stay in the English capital.

‘In the end, I live with Bernd’s explanation,’ said Nagelsmann. ‘It’s relatively simple, he made demands in the conversation that I couldn’t fulfill.

‘That’s why I showed him a very interesting perspective that is not in the short term, but in the medium term.

Leno has only made nine appearances for Germany due to stiff competition in previous years

‘But he wasn’t happy with that, so he decided not to come. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves how they want to do it. Bernd decided that.

‘I’m not going to close the door now, but it hasn’t opened any further either. But if he plays outstandingly and the others don’t, the door can open further again.

‘He’s not 25 anymore, he has a certain maturity to evaluate things, so he’s welcome to do that for himself.’