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Germany

I started my coaching education in March 2011 on a course of the German Football Association (GFA) with the B and A-License. Whilst I had a comeback as a player at Arsenal, I was doing my licenses in Munich. The first three days of the week I participated in the course, then I went back to London to train with the team. The B and A-License was a very valuable experience. It was presided over by Bernd Stöber, a very experienced coach and instructor of the German Federation. The curriculum comprised the basics of organization, training-sessions, methodology and practice on the pitch. We conducted it with local youth teams from Bayern Munich, 1860 Munich and Unterhaching, the third team in town. Psychological and medical aspects of the game were also part of this course, which was made especially for Ex-Professionals. Participants were Bernd Schneider, Stefan Effenberg, Thomas Strunz, Oliver Bierhoff, Oliver Kahn, Lars Ricken, Gerhard Poschner, Uwe Gospodarek and myself. After gaining the licenses, I decided to proceed with my Pro-License in Wales.


Wales & England

I made the decision to continue my coaching education in order to get a Pro-License with the Welsh Football Association. The course offers a more practical approach than the German one. The German course requires a high amount of time that denies the student the opportunity to coach a club in the meantime. The Welsh approach requires a managerial role at a club while he is taking the course. Thereby the student has to implement and conduct strategies and tasks, that are given by the curriculum. The academy coaches cover all different areas of experience and knowledge. Two more former professionals, Marc Desailly and Didi Hamann went through the course too. Personally, I prefer this more practical approach a lot. The final exams in May 2013 were a great pleasure. I was actively involved in coaching at the Arsenal Academy. They let me do my sessions for the Reserves and Under-18 youth team. The head coaches, Terry Burton and Steve Gatting, were very helpful. Sometimes I even found time to watch Arsène Wenger’s sessions on the pitch next to us to learn from his methods.


April 2012 – May 2013 Arsenal Reserves Coaching

April 2012 – May 2013 Arsenal Reserves Coaching

April 2012 – May 2013: Coaching Education in Wales, UEFA-Pro-License; Arsenal Reserves Coaching

Since I played for Arsenal, I have a special relationship with this club, which is definitely one of the most fascinating ones and amongst the ones with the most tradition in Europe. As part of my coaching studies, I had the great honor of working as an assistant coach of Arsenal’s B-team. The experience I gained during this one year assignment is very important not only with regards to passing my coaching exam, but also for future possible engagements.


April 2012 - May 2013 Arsenal Reserves Coaching

Jens Lehmann with Bould and Peyton during Arsenal Reserves Coaching on April 4, 2012.

SKY TV

Since I started my coaching education, I can explain to the viewers what’s happening on the pitch not only from the perspective of a player but also through the eyes of a coach.

June 2010: Commentator for SKY Germany at FIFA World Cup 2010
July 2011: Commentator for SKY Germany

It’s a great pleasure for me to commentate a football match. Since I started my coaching education, I can explain to the audience what’s happening on the pitch not only from the perspective of a player but also through the eyes of a coach. I especially enjoy commentating matches between German Bundesliga and English Premier League clubs as I have been playing in both football cultures for many years. Another interesting aspect of being a commentator for a football match is the international angle: explaining what’s going on in a football match to a US or Asian audience can be a lot of fun. Also, feeling the passion for European football, especially in Asia, is pretty fascinating. SKY Germany: www.sky.de


SKY TV
I'm a columnist for SPORT BILD.

I’m a columnist for SPORT BILD.

SportBild

TV pundit for RTL Television

In 2013, the Cologne-based broadcaster secured the TV rights to the European qualifiers for Euro 2016 in France, as well as to the ten qualifying games for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. I’m joining commentator Marco Hagemann and presenter Florian Koenig as an expert.
I wrote an exclusive column for goal.com

I wrote exclusive columns for goal.com during the UEFA Euro 2012.


Essener Turnerbund Schwarz-Weiss Essen 1881 e.V.

1979 – 1987


Schwarz-Weiss Essen  
FOUNDED   1881
LEAGUE   Oberliga Nordrhein (IV)
COACH   Dr. Martin Annen; Under 16ths: Friedhelm Slomka; Head of Youth: Georg van Wick

Achievements

  • D-Jugend (Under 12ths) Cup Winner
  • Under 16ths Essen Champions

At the age of 8 I joined DJK Heisingen in my hometown Essen. I played there two years as a striker before receiving my first offer from Schwarz-Weiss Essen…


…I went there in 1979, but convinced the people there to put me in the goal although they originally had wanted me as a striker. In 1985 we were the first and only club ever in Essen to qualify for the German Championship and by total surprise became runners-up in the age group of the under 16 players.



FC Schalke 04

1987 – 1998


FC Schalke 04
FOUNDED   1904
LEAGUE   Bundesliga
HEAD COACHES   Rolf Schafstall, Didi Ferner, Klaus Fischer, Peter Neururer, Aleksandar Ristic, Udo Lattek, Helmut Schulte, Jörg Berger, Huub Stevens

Achievements

  • As the first Bundesliga goalkeeper ever, managed to score a goal on the field: In the very last minute of the game on December 19, 1997 against BVB as headed goal for a 2:2 final result
  • The UEFA cup victory in ’97 was Schalke’s biggest international success

When I was 17, I had an offer from FC Schalke 04. My father had promised my mum not to “sell the boy to that club“ as it had been involved in the “Bundesliga match fixing scandal“ a couple of years before…


1989: Training at age 18

1989: Training at age 18

1991, Second Bundesliga match vs. Frankfurt 0-5

1991, Second Bundesliga match vs. Frankfurt 0-5

…However, their new president coincidentally grew up two streets away from my father and so a good offer convinced my dad to allow me to try-out for the club. In my first youth team year, I was promoted and signed a professional contract for the first team. So at 18, I was doing my school exams while training professionally. After only seven games I got promoted again as the first choice keeper because Werner Vollack, Schalke’s number one at the time, was injured. Having spent three years in the second league, Schalke made its comeback to the first league, the German Bundesliga. Some great periods changed with some big disappointments, for example a career threatening injury to my right knee with a tear of my anterior cruciate ligaments, lateral ligaments and meniscus…


UEFA cup victory, 1997, FC Schalke 04.

UEFA cup victory, 1997, FC Schalke 04.

…After four and a half months recuperation, I returned to full fitness and regained my number one spot two months later. In 1996 we managed to qualify for the UEFA-Cup for the first time in 20 years. At the end of the first round we got a new coach: Huub Stevens. As complete underdogs we made it to the final without conceding a goal at home. At that time, the final was played over to legs. We won the first leg at home 1-0 against Inter Milan. The Italians equalized in the 85th Minute at the San Siro in Milan. Finally it came down to a Penalty Shoot–out. We beat them 4-2! The UFEA cup victory in 1997 was Schalke’s greatest international success ever. The team is still adored as the ‘Eurofighters’ by Schalke supporters.



A.C. Milan

1998 – 1999


FOUNDED   1899
LEAGUE   Serie A
COACH   Alberto Zaccheroni

Achievements

  • In the season I left A.C. Milan, they became Italian champions

After winning the UEFA cup in 1997 with Schalke, I received an offer from A.C. Milan. However, due to the so called ‘Bosman-Rule’ I had to wait one year to join them. I had a promising start there. But only five games in, I got injured. When I came back I did not play immediately…


1998, A.C. Milan

…Alberto Zaccheroni, the A.C. Milan coach, picked Sebastiano Rossi as number one, which I found hard to accept. In the meantime, I received offers from clubs like Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. I decided to return to Germany to play for Dortmund. I could have made a better decision in terms of football politics, as Dortmund are the bitter rivals of Schalke 04. Naturally, a lot people didn’t understand my decision. Looking back, I probably should have stayed longer at A.C. Milan, to fight for the number one position and to gain more experience in the Seria A. At the end of the season, at least I was awarded a medal for winning the Italian Championship. A.C. Milan was indeed a classy club with a great organisation.



Borussia Dortmund

1999 – 2003


bvb
FOUNDED   1909
LEAGUE   Bundesliga
HEAD COACH   Matthias Sammer; previously: Michael Skibbe, Bernd Kraus, Udo Lattek

Achievements

  • I contributed significantly to the team’s return to success, winning the Bundesliga in 2001–02 and reaching the UEFA-Cup final that same year

I was persuaded by Michael Meier, Borussia Dortmund’s manager back then, to return to the Ruhr area of Germany. In 1999, we played in the Champions League and also had a good start in the Bundesliga season, but suddenly found ourselves fighting against relegation. Two coaches had been tried before, Udo Lattek and Matthias Sammer, finally saved our place in the Bundesliga by the end of the season…


BVB

…So, with no international games, we saved all our energy for the Bundesliga, and finished first on the last day of the season 2001/02, becoming the German Bundesliga champions.

After four exciting years in Dortmund, I was lucky enough to receive an offer from Arsenal in London. Literally, from one day to the next, my wife and I decided to leave the country and together with our two children to move to London. A new challenge waited for us in England.


BVB
BVB

FC Arsenal

2003 – 2008


arsenal
FOUNDED   1886
LEAGUE   Premier League
MANAGER   Arsène Wenger

Achievements

  • Played in every match of the unbeaten league campaign 03/04 and was awarded the Premier League Golden Glove Award for my integral part in the ‘Invincibles’ season. After 49 games this unbeaten run ended due to a cheated penalty at Manchester United.

Playing for Arsenal was probably the most enjoyable time in football for me. The fans were so supportive that I looked forward to each game…


2004, Dressing room, champs

2004, Dressing room, champs

…It was the only time a team did not loose a single game in 49 matches – with world-class players like Henry, Vieira, Bergkamp, Pires, Ljungberg, Campbell, Touré, Cole, Keown and so many others, all of whom were inspired by Arsène Wenger, the Manager. Long before the end of the season 2003/04 we were crowned unbeaten English Champions. In 2005 we beat Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup on a penalty shoot-out. We scored all five and I only had to save one to secure the win. That penalty was Patrick Vieira’s last shot for Arsenal, who left to join Juventus in Turin. Some other new players like Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini took over in midfield and started to make a difference from the very beginning. The following season Chelsea won the Premiership. But we played the best Champions League campaign ever for Arsenal. We did not concede a single goal. We beat Real Madrid, Juventus and Villarreal before playing Barcelona in the final in Paris…


May 21, 2005: Lehmann and Vieira with trophy of the 2005 FA Cup Final in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Game between Arsenal and Manchester United

May 21, 2005: Lehmann and Vieira with trophy of the 2005 FA Cup Final in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Game between Arsenal and Manchester United

Lehmann Family, May 16, 2004

Lehmann Family, May 16, 2004

…One of my saddest moments happened in the 17th minute of the game. I tried to sweep a through ball away from Eto’o. He reacted a hundredth of a second faster than me and played the ball past me. I only tipped his foot, but still he went down. The immediate blow of referee Terje Hauge’s whistle led me to expect the worst: and indeed, he sent me off with a red card. Instead of waiting a split second longer to see Giuly scoring for Barcelona, he stopped the game and awarded them a free kick. Even though we took the lead with a Sol Campbell header and Thierry Henry got a great chance for a second goal. I saw him miss it from the stands. Barcelona then got the equalizer before the end and secured the win in extra-time. Two years later my contract at Arsenal expired and I had a farewell send-off in the Emirates Stadium from a fantastic Arsenal crowd against Everton. I thought it was all over for me in London.


The Queen - Royal Visit with Arsenal, 2005

The Queen – Royal Visit with Arsenal, 2005

2008 final salute Arsenal

2008 final salute Arsenal


VfB Stuttgart

2008 – 2010


VfB Stuttgart
FOUNDED   1893
LEAGUE   Bundesliga
HEAD COACH   Armin Veh, Markus Babbel, Christian Gross

Achievements

  • August 10, 2008: First round of the DFB-Pokal: 5–0 away victory over FC Hansa Lüneburg and one week later Stuttgart’s 3–1 away victory at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Returning to Germany was planned as a nice way to end my career. In Stuttgart, I met great people, very enthusiastic and passionate fans. In my first year, we had a bad start to the season. A new coach, Markus Babbel, the former Liverpool defender, took over and on the last day of the Bundesliga season we could have become Champions…


…We had to win at Bayern Munich while Wolfsburg had to lose their last match at home. Bayern Munich didn’t do us the favor and won the title themselves. What was meant to be only one year in Stuttgart turned out to become two with the challenge to play Champions League again at the age of forty. My last Champions League game ever took place at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. I had never played there before. After a draw at home we went there as underdogs. Unfortunately Messi had one of his good days and scored a goal against me. We finally lost 4-0. In May I finally had a fantastic farewell game. The Stuttgart supporters gave me credit for my commitment and being a pretty entertaining player. My retirement began.



German National Team

1997 – 2008


DFB
FOUNDED   1900
TEAM   German National Team
HEAD COACH   Berti Vogts, Erich Ribbeck, Rudi Völler, Jürgen Klinsmann & Joachim Löw

Achievements

  • 1989–1990 West Germany U21 – 6 appearances
  • 1998–2008 Germany – 61 appearances
  • FIFA World Cup 1× Rank 2: 2002 & FIFA World Cup 1× Rank 3: 2006
  • European championship 1× Rank 2: 2008
  • Confederations Cup 1× Rank 3: 2005

In 1997, I was invited to the German National Team for the first time. The manager was Berti Vogts and he could not reject me any longer. He had not invited me for the EURO 1996 as at the time he thought that I was only coming to gain the number one position…


DFB

…I took part in the World-Cup 1998 with Andy Köpke still being the number one and Oliver Khan the number two. After that World-Cup Köpke retired. Kahn was his successor with me being his competitor for the position in goal. That went on for the next three tournaments. Despite having a disastrous tournament in 2000 in Holland, I did not get the chance to play in the World-Cup 2002 in Japan and South Korea. In that tournament we became runners-up. My chances were small to play in the EURO 2004, but eventually I thought to have a good chance after performing well for Arsenal with becoming an unbeaten Champion in the campaign 2003/2004. But again, I was disappointed by Rudi Völler who left me sitting on the bench. Another disappointing tournament ending after the group stage. However, this finally gave me the opportunity to challenge for the number one during the arrival of Jürgen Klinsmann, “the new Messias“ of German football. Actually, before the World-Cup 2006 in Germany, “the Messias“ had been condemned after a couple of disappointing results…


German National Team

…The politicians even tried to call him to the German parliament for a hearing, because they were scared of being embarrassed in front of the entire world at the World-Cup. Jürgen Klinsmann refused and if we had not won the last game against the USA before the tournament, he would have been sacked. My competitor Oliver Kahn tried to take his last chance and made two good safes but also one mistake. That coincided with our run in the Champions-League with Arsenal into the final. We had not conceded a single goal during the whole campaign which never happened before and after. Finally Jürgen Klinsmann gave me the number one spot after many years of waiting as the number two. The World-Cup 2006 in Germany started brilliant for us; the sun was out for the entire four weeks and we won all our games in the group-stage. The German nation was behind us and there were German banners everywhere…


German National Team

…In the knock-out-phase we beat Sweden 2-0 and then we were facing the mighty Argentinians. Psychologically, it was a new challenge for us as we had not defeated one of the so called “big teams“ for many years. This time we made a thriller out of that game which had to be decided in a penalty-shoot-out. My teammates scored all 4 penalties and I only needed to save two to secure the victory. The Germans were happy. That lasted for only three days when we had to play Italy. That game went into extra time again and when everybody in the stadium was expecting another penalty-thriller, the Italians killed us in the 119th minute. The Germans were sad. The disappointment was huge, but the nation supported us a lot even after that knock-out. Winning the game for the third place lifted the party-atmosphere in the country again. Even today people come to me and reveal that this summer has been their best time of their life. I’m still grateful that I was a part of it…


German National Team

…My last tournament with the German National Team was the European-Championships in Switzerland and Austria. It was Jogi Löw’s first one in charge after he took over from Jürgen Klinsmann. Our team had a better stability and balance now after that long build-up since 2004. Even after a disappointing game against Croatia we made it to the final when we beat Portugal and Turkey in the knock-out-stage. It was my last match for the National Team against Spain and of course I wanted to make it a success. The game started well and we could feel that the Spanish were a bit scared. But they needed only one chance to take the lead. Normally you should have expected us coming back and fighting until the end but it did not really happen. That was untypical for Germans and a big disappointment. We lost 0-1. That was the end for me.


German National Team

Comeback to Arsenal

2011


arsenal
FOUNDED   1886
LEAGUE   Premier League
MANAGER   Arséne Wenger

Achievements

  • Rejoined Arsenal short-term in March 2011 when keepers Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone were injured
  • Made one appearance during my three-month spell back in North London, helping Arsenal to victory at Blackpool

When you think it’s all over, all of a sudden something unexpected comes around the corner. I was a TV-pundit for Sky Germany and was commenting on the game between Barcelona and Arsenal in the Nou Camp in February 2011, ten months after the end of my football career…


Comeback to Arsenal

…Szcesny, the Arsenal goalkeeper, injured his hand in this encounter and Arsenal was left with only one goalkeeper ready to play, Manuel Almunia. Given that I had been to Arsenal’s Training Centre in December, where I had asked Gerry Peyton, the goalkeeping coach, to give me a session, he remembered me still being in good shape. So I got a call from him, when I returned from Barcelona the next day, asking me to come back for three months to help out. I discussed it with my family and four days later I found myself in London on the Arsenal training ground again. The question was how long it would take to get fit enough to play matches. After three weeks, Manuel Almunia injured himself in the warm-up before the game in Blackpool. I had ten minutes to warm up. I went into the dressing room a bit nervous. The boss asked me if I was OK and I pretended that everything was fine. To put me back into playing mode, I thought about my last game ten months ago. When I walked back on the pitch to play, it felt good and I had my confidence back. We won 2-1 and I enjoyed a great afternoon back out there where I always enjoyed myself the most. The Arsenal supporters played their bit in giving me fantastic support during the game and particularly after the final whistle. Thank you!


Comeback to Arsenal

Dekeyser & Friends Academy

I’m an active friend of the Dekeyser & Friends Academy. It’s the organization of Bobby Dekeyser, owner of the furniture company DEDON. The purpose is to inspire people from all over the world to do projects that improve their environment and neighborhoods. My personal project involved the education and coaching of 15 Fellows of Football. They came from all over the world to Hamburg and have learned different strategies of setting up structures in various areas. Amongst those are surfing, swimming for disabled children, football camps for refugees, socially disadvantaged children, girls etc. The whole project has been conducted over 15 weeks. The biggest achievement was the group dynamic that evolved out of the fantastic engagement of every Fellow, particularly considering the different backgrounds they came from. The project had its highlight in the so-called Diversity Cup in Hamburg. Children from socially disadvantaged areas in Hamburg, who played unorganized football, were encouraged to take part in an organized football tournament where they set their own rules and committed to them. Learn more at dfacademy.org


DEKEYSER & FRIENDS ACADEMY

My personal project at the Dekeyser & Friends Academy involved the education and coaching of 15 Fellows of Football.

Dekeyser & Friends Academy
Dekeyser & Friends Academy

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

In July 2012, I was announced “Laureus-Ambassador” by the Laureus Foundation. As an ambassador I’m currently involved in a project called “Kicking Girls“. Girls from mainly migrational and socially disadvantaged backgrounds are playing football in an organized environment. They are being trained by teenage girls, who came from the same background and by coaches. The education of those assistant-coaches costs money, which I’m helping to raise. The recent Laureus Gala in Munich raised 1.5 million Euro for all different kind of projects, the Laureus-Foundation is supporting. Learn more at www.laureus.com


Laureus Foundation
Laureus Foundation
Laureus Foundation

German speaking Laureus Blog for “Kicking girls”

In meiner Zeit als Fußballprofi und Nationaltorwart habe ich vor allem eins gelernt: Toleranz! Beim Fußball gewinnt und verliert man als Team – Hautfarbe, Religion und Herkunft spielen dabei keine Rolle. Ich sehe es als Bereicherung an, neuen Kulturen zu begegnen und sie kennenlernen zu dürfen. Deshalb freut es mich umso mehr, dass ich als Laureus Botschafter die Schirmherrschaft für das Projekt Kicking Girls übernehmen durfte. Was mit paar begeisterten Fußballmädchen und einer Schul-AG an einer Grundschule in Oldenburg begann, zieht nun immer größere Kreise. Mittlerweile spielen durch die Unterstützung von Laureus jede Woche 3.000 Mädchen an 17 Standorten in Deutschland Fußball – eine großartige Entwicklung. Vor allem Mädchen mit Migrationshintergrund wird bei unserem Laureus Projekt die Chance gegeben, den Fußballsport kennen- und lieben zu lernen. Alle Kicking Girls spielen in reinen Mädchenmannschaften und werden dabei oft von älteren Mädels trainiert, den sogenannten Fußballtrainerassistentinnen, die das Projekt ebenfalls ausbildet. Vom fußballspielenden Kicking Girl werden die Mädchen so zum Vorbild für die Jüngeren und lernen neben der Trainingsgestaltung auch Verantwortung zu tragen und Regeln festzulegen…


…Gerade Mädchen mit muslimischem Hintergrund wird so die Teilnahme am Sport erleichtert – ihre Eltern müssen sich keine Sorgen um männliche Trainer machen und unterstützen die sportliche Aktivität ihrer Töchter. Langfristig soll über das Projekt der Eintritt in den benachbarten Sportverein erreicht und die Integration in die Schulgemeinschaft und die Gesellschaft unterstützt werden. Anfang Juni sind die Kicking Girls auch in der Region Braunschweig-Wolfsburg angekommen. Bei einem Besuch in der Braunschweiger Grundschule Lehndorf habe ich mit rund 40 Mädchen in der Turnhalle gekickt. Alle Mädchen haben noch nie zuvor Fußball gespielt und waren von der Sportart sofort begeistert. Ich hoffe, dass die meisten von ihnen nach den Sommerferien in der dann beginnenden Fußball-AG wieder mit von der Partie sind und zu echten Kicking Girls werden. Als ehemaliger Fußball-Profi und Laureus Botschafter liegt mir das Projekt natürlich sehr am Herzen. Ich freue mich, dass ich meine Leidenschaft für den Fußballsport an die Mädchen weitergeben kann, denn Sport verbindet Menschen. Auf dem Platz spielt es keine Rolle, ob das eine Mädchen ein Kopftuch trägt und das andere nicht, ob sie an verschiedene Religionen glauben oder aus unterschiedlichen Ländern kommen. Über den Sport lernen sie Zusammenhalt, Fairplay und Respekt. Werte, die ihnen auch im Alltag helfen werden.


Torwarttraining mit Jens Lehmann ersteigern

Während des 24 stündigen RTL-Spendenmarathons, der großen Benefiz-Auktion am 20. und 21. November 2014 live im Fernsehen, haben Sie die einmalige Gelegenheit, ein Torwarttraining mit Jens Lehmann für einen guten Zweck zu ersteigern. Die RTL Stiftung “Wir helfen Kindern e.V.” unterstützt in jedem Jahr durch ausgewählte Hilfsprojekte bedürftige Kinder in Deutschland und der ganzen Welt.

ERSTGEBOTE:
Falls Sie Interesse haben, bereits im Vorfeld der Sendung ein Erstgebot abzugeben, unter Nennung Ihrer Firma oder als Privatperson (Anschrift, Gebotshöhe und Telefonnummer und Mobilnummer, Mindestgebot €2000), wenden Sie sich bitte an:
RTL Spendenmarathon, Suzanne Klein
Telefon: +4922145615023 E-Mail: suzanne.klein@rtl.de

Protestant Children’s and Youth home in Bochum

The Protestant Children’s and Youth home in Bochum is a facility which takes care of socially disadvantaged children and their mothers. They can stay here in case living at home is not an option anymore. In July 2003, I adopted the Youth Support Center in Bochum-Wattenscheid to be its sponsor. I myself am a child of the Ruhr area and as a father of three children, who are growing up in an idyllic environment, I want to spread the word about the help that is being offered here and support them. Within the scope of youth support, 170 children and youth as well as young adults and families are being offered help for upbringing and education. In two daycare facilities for children in Gelsenkirchen and Bochum-Wattenscheid 40-45 children are being looked after and supported just like an additional 20 children who are in the scope of OGS at Fröbelschule. “Ambulantes Hilfezentrum Wattenscheid” offers approx. 80 families in Bochum-Wattenscheid, who are in difficult circumstances, social educational family support. Learn more at www.ev-kjh.de


Protestant Children’s and Youth home in Bochum
unicef_cheque_jens_lehmann

Business Studies

During my time as a professional footballer, I studied economics at two different universities. From 1990-1992 I was registered at the University of Hagen. This University offers distance teaching to students, who are already working. This was particularly hard as I had to do my lessons at home and could not attend classes and courses. I had intensified my involvement when I was seriously injured with a rupture of my anterior Crusade Ligament, meniscus and lateral ligament of my right knee. This showed me that a promising career as a footballer could be over all of a sudden. After I had recovered from that injury in 1992, I moved from my hometown Essen to Münster. I registered at the local university for economics and stayed there until 1998, when I changed from FC Schalke 04 to A.C. Milan.


SPEECHES, SEMINARS, MOTIVATION, CONCENTRATION, MEDITATION, EFFECTIVENESS, PRESSURE RESILIENCE, GOAL SETTING

In my speeches I’m sharing strategies how to set goals, motivate yourself and others, be prepared for challenging situations – and how to master them. These speeches are enriched by stories and anecdotes from my times as an active goalkeeper.

Strategies for motivation

Talking to people at various companies, I have realized that they are often facing similar situation as I did when I was a professional football player. For example, they need to be perfectly prepared for an important meeting on a specific day. Or to achieve certain goals, cross-functional teams need to play together seamlessly. Not to talk about the pressure and fear of making mistakes. I have lived through hundreds of situations like that in my football career. Every match needs to be perfectly prepared. Unexpected situations have to be mastered. Without good teamwork, setbacks are natural. In my speeches I’m sharing strategies on how to set goals, motivate yourself and others, handle pressure, and how to master challenging situations.


Speaker
Speaker

Networking Activities


During my time as a professional footballer I was surprised by how many people were interested in me. Occasionally, I’m still in touch with some of these people in business and other parts of society. These contacts sometimes can be valuable when someone wants to get something done. This area of my life mainly includes setting up or facilitating meetings.


Sporting Director MBA

Taking part in the first Sporting Director MBA at the University of Manchester. Education never harms. @MasterSportDir sportingdirectorship.com