On the 25th of November, at the Starnberg district court, Jens Lehmann, the celebrated former German national goalkeeper and 2006 World Cup hero, will be in the hot seat. Lehmann's indictment, presented by the Munich II public prosecutor's office, contains a list of charges that paint a less than flattering picture: allegedly insulting police officers, damaging property, trespassing, and attempting to defraud a parking spot.
A second trial day is even penciled in for December 22, at which a dozen witnesses are expected to testify and media outlets will be flocking to cover the proceedings. Regrettably for Lehmann, the court ruled in October to proceed with the case openly, despite the defendant's wish to keep the matter under wraps.
Disguised Chain-Saw Crusade
Interestingly, Lehmann has found himself in the Starnberg district court's crosshairs before. In 2016, he was handed a substantial fine from the same court. More on this will be revealed later.
Regarding the most recent incident, Lehmann stands accused of sawing through a garage roof beam in June 2022. The motive, it seems, was to gain an unobstructed view of Lake Starnberg from his property. The accustation unfolded in the upper-class community of Berg, located on the eastern shore of the lake. Residents in the area often pay top dollar to enjoy an uninterrupted landscape view.
As a determined saw-user, Lehmann is also alleged to have chopped down a small tree before he embarked on his plan. Before getting the ball rolling, he snatched the power cable of a surveillance camera to stay concealed. However, his Machiavellian maneuver didn't quite work out—the camera switched to battery mode and captured the entire operation in stunning detail.
Even from a young age, the goalkeeper displayed a streak of stubbornness
One fascinating aspect will be to see if the court plays the detailed recordings in public, or if the proceedings progress without further visual entertainment. Lehmann's lawyer, Christoph Rückel, has announced a statement at the trial's opening, aiming to lay this contentious episode to rest speedily.
For the public, the spectacle promises to be a source of endless entertainment, drawing attention to Lehmann's continued missteps and mishaps on and off the pitch. He has a history of errors since the inception of his career, delivering one amusing faux pas after another.
An example from his younger days is when, substituted as goalkeeper for Schalke 04, he fumed and took the S-Bahn home in a huff during the game. After borrowing the fare money from a fellow traveler, his coach threatened to sell him. Surprisingly, he remained with Schalke until 1998 and played a crucial role in the team's triumphant 1997 UEFA Cup campaign.
His masterful performance in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals against Argentina
Lehmann's career progression was filled with triumphs, despite his occasionally reckless behavior. His Deutscher Meister title in 2002 with Borussia Dortmund and English Premier League silverware with Arsenal London in 2004 mark notable accomplishments in his glittering career. In 2005, he clinched the English Cup with Arsenal, leading an undefeated season where they didn't drop a single match.
One of the highlights for the German squad was when he challenged Oliver Kahn for the national team position, ultimately solidifying his place as one of the heroes of the 2006 World Cup's summer fantasy. Lehmann's two spectacular saves in the penalty shoot-out against Argentina—working from a piece of paper he pulled from his sock—left an enduring impression on the global football community.
Lehmann's 2011 stint as a substitute for Arsenal London and his return to VfB Stuttgart, complete with a few humorous anecdotes, continue the narrative of his storied career.
Unsporting antics to remember
Between his on-field achievements, Lehmann's often unsportsmanlike conduct remained a routine aspect of his career. His infamous act of throwing Hoffenheim's Sejad Salihovic's lost shoe onto the goal net and evading disciplinary action by fleeing to halfway across the pitch in Dortmund are worthy mentions.
Lehmann's most serious misstep occurred during the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal London. He was red-carded after an indiscretion and, regretfully, his team suffered defeat as a consequence. The English media promptly christened him "Mad Jens."
Even fans were not safe from Lehmann's impulsiveness, with a legendary anecdote involving him swiping a supporter's glasses after being sent off.
Following his retirement, Lehmann renewed his streak of faux pas and missteps, earning him scorn and criticism. His 2010 comments about current national team captain Ilkay Gündogan ("He's intelligent and speaks great German"), as well as his dismissive remarks about homosexuals in football, offended viewers.
His statement about former professional Dennis Aogo, which labeled Aogo as "his black man" during an informal chat, cost him his positions on the supervisory board of Hertha BSC Berlin and as a TV pundit for the pay-TV channel Sky.
In this latest episode, Lehmann will likely face further penalization, as the pugnacious personality has reportedly found himself embroiled in disputes with his neighbors in recent years, resulting in additional garage damages.
Conclusion
Then and now, Jens Lehmann's career and personal life continue to generate headlines, weaving a tale of triumphs and missteps, all the while keeping his ever-watchful audience engaged.
