Opinion: Klinsmann's Psychological Choice

Klinsmann's decision put Lehmann between the posts in the No. 1 jersey during this summer's World Cup is another chance for the national team coach to show his nerve since the pro-Lehmann stance is naturally also an anti-Kahn decision.

It will take a lot of self-confidence to weather the public storm brewing around the verdict against the "titian" of German soccer and hero of the last World Cups, not to mention the booing bound to come from Kahn's lobby of Bayern Munich, German soccer Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer and the mass-market Bild tabloid. In fact, it's difficult to imagine another way the national team coach could make as many enemies in one press conference.

Klinsmann, however, has never been worried about facing tough adversaries as he continues marching down the road of renewal he paved with the German team, taking no notice of whose toes he may step on.

Two equally skilled competitors

Now Klinsmann's revival has worked its way back to the best-manned position in the German team. It hardly makes sense to judge Friday's decision on purely athletic grounds. Kahn and Lehmann are, without a doubt, world-class goalkeepers, and not even soccer's most qualified experts would be able to distinguish a tangible difference in their overall skills.

But Klinsmann's decision wasn't based on the how, when and why each of them comes out of the goal to grab the ball. The coach has explicitly implanted a psychological aspect to his team and when it comes to the psychological side, Lehmann is bounds beyond Kahn.

The Arsenal keeper is at arguably the apex of his career. Standing behind a young side in London, which a few months ago even team coach Arsene Wenger said was being "laughed out" of matches, Lehmann has helped carry his team mates triumphantly to the Champions League.

Timing right for psychological choice

From laughing-stock to international hero: exactly the path Klinsmann would like to see the Germany side take while hosting the 2006 World Cup -- with Lehmann standing behind the team. No one will ever be able to prove he's the better goalkeeper -- not even after the tournament-- but there is no question Lehmann is the goalie who fits best in Germany's Klinsmann era.

The decision to announce his choice weeks before the FIFA deadline hints toward the notion that Klinsmann has long-favored Lehmann. Now, while Lehmann's star is still shining bright, it's just the right time for Klinsmann to sell the pro-Lehmann call to the German public, instead of waiting few more matches that could lead to the blunder that shakes up the team's psychological state.