Evergreen Lehmann ready to play on

Posted Thursday, May 19, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

BERLIN (AFP) - Veteran ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said Wednesday he could yet play on for Premier League giants Arsenal next season, even though he will turn 42 in November.

Lehmann retired at the end of last season, but while helping out the north London club while studying for his coaching licence, he was persuaded by former team Arsenal to step in last March as they went through an injury crisis.

Manager Arsene Wenger offered Lehmann a short-term contract until the end of the season and he made a single Premier League appearance for the Gunners in the 3-1 win at Blackpool in April.

But he told German daily Bild he is prepared to extend his come-back by playing on for a further year.

"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort - actually more of a hobby," said the former Schalke, Dortmund and Stuttgart shot-stopper.

"I took three weeks to get really fit - and then I had to play against Blackpool.

"I thought 'You can do it still. You haven't forgotten what to do'.

"From my performance, I would be able to continue playing.

"My teammates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season."

Lehmann said he would like a career in coaching once he hangs up his gloves for good and would love to work in the Premier League again after five years at Arsenal between 2003 and 2008.

"I can well imagine a job in football," he said. "First, I'll probably end my trainer course.

"When you have such personalities as Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, England is the ideal solution."