All Time Legends - Jens Lehmann

Jens Gerhard Lehmann (born 10 November 1969) is a German former football goalkeeper. He was voted UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year for the 1996–97 and 2005–06 seasons, and he has been selected for three World Cup squads. He was a member of Arsenal's Invincibles, playing every match of their famous unbeaten title winning season. He also holds the UEFA Champions League record for the most consecutive clean sheets, having not conceded a goal in 10 matches whilst at Arsenal.In early 1999, Lehmann returned to Germany to play for Borussia Dortmund replacing long-time goalkeeper Stefan Klos. Lehmann had a difficult start with the team with several poor performances and a lack in his discipline and reliability. Rumors of an early parting of Lehmann arose, who was viewed critically by both supporters and critics.

However, Borussia Dortmund began the 2001–02 season strongly. Lehmann's overall performance improved and he became more reliable for the team. He contributed significantly to the team's return to success, winning the Bundesliga in 2001–02 and reaching the UEFA-Cup final that same year which the team lost in a match against Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam.

Lehmann was a key player in a solid performance by Borussia Dortmund, winning the German League in an impressive finish, eventually triumphing over Bayer 04 Leverkusen which led the league by five points with only three matches left in the season – beating 1. FC Köln, Hamburger SV and Werder Bremen back-to-back, Lehmann and Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga in 2002.

During the same season Lehmann became known for his poor disciplinary record. In a match against SC Freiburg, Lehmann kicked opposing attacker Soumaila Coulibaly after they collided in the penalty area. Lehmann was suspended afterwards and currently still holds the record for most red cards for any player of Borussia Dortmund as well as for any goalkeeper in the German Bundesliga.After a weak season in 2003, which saw Borussia Dortmund slip into mediocrity, increasingly unreliable performances by Lehmann led to his departure from the team. He was replaced by Roman Weidenfeller and Guillaume Warmuz, who had just left Arsenal.

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