Stuttgart coach Babbel warns Lehmann

Ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was on Sunday warned to watch his future conduct by his Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel.

The 39-year-old, who turns 40 next month, landed himself in hot water a fortnight ago when he failed to get permission from his club to attend Munich’s Oktoberfest beer festival which earned him a one-match suspension.

“Jens must know that he is constantly in the media’s spotlight because he is a well-known name,” Babbel told Bild on Sunday.

“He must refrain from quick-tempered and rash actions and concentrate on doing the essentials well.

“Jens needs to enjoy the last years of his career, it is a farewell tour for him even if he is not yet conscious of it.”

Lehmann won 61 caps for Germany and spent five years at Arsenal before signing for Stuttgart in 2008 and retiring from international football after the Euro 2008 final.

But Babbel, 37, said Lehmann is still a model professional both in training and matches.

“Jens is actually very professional and I wonder sometimes if he is compensating, subconciously, for the fact he doesn’t always have good publicity.

“I treat him just the same at 39 as I would a 19 year old.”

But Babbel does not rule out any future indiscretions from Lehmann.

“He is still learning, even at 39 years old.”