News:Jens Lehmann's tempestuous relationship with Arsène Wenger appears to have fractured beyond repair after the Germany goalkeeper effectively accused his Arsenal manager of unfairly favouring Manuel Almunia.
His fury at being unable to reclaim a first-team place is likely to force him to seek a move away from the club next month.
The veteran lost his place after slipshod displays in the season's opening two Premier League fixtures, against Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.
While Wenger initially insisted Lehmann was injured, the goalkeeper has made only one club appearance since - against Steaua Bucharest in a dead-rubber Champions League group game last week - despite continuing to play for his national side, with his frustration boiling over in regular outbursts to the German media.
His latest flare-up was offered to the magazine Kicker, with the 38-year-old emerging from a brief conversation with Wenger last week which failed to allay fears over his long-term future at the club to complain that Almunia "does not have my class".
"My coach confirmed to me my impression that he uses a different measuring stick to evaluate Almunia," said Lehmann. "For me, this was a huge disappointment. That has forced me to think about my situation.
"I have to ask myself what is still realistic and possible for me at Arsenal? When Wenger says something like that, it's going to be difficult for me to get back in here. It's very frustrating. When I see the performances on the field, I get angry and I have to clench my fist in my pocket."
Lehmann has attracted tentative interest from a number of clubs, including Wolfsburg back in Germany and Manchester City in the Premiership, though a potential move may depend on whether Arsenal seek a fee for his signature.
"If Arsenal demand a transfer fee for a 38-year-old reserve goalkeeper, I might as well stay here," he said, though he remains aware that the Germany coach, Joachim Low, is wary that the veteran is not featuring in the first-team with an eye on next summer's European Championship.
The former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper has always proved a controversial figure, with his regular falling-outs with Oliver Kahn, for whom he was a long-standing international deputy.
In October Lehmann had warned Wenger that his "humiliation" had to end soon, the German having recovered from the elbow injury suffered while with the national team in late August.
"I think, and this is directed towards my dear coach, that you should not humiliate players for too long," he said then. "I am an Arsenal player and I will not just fade away quietly."
Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson's problems behind the scenes at Manchester United continued when his goalkeeping coach Tony Coton announced he was quitting the club after a 10-year association. The 46-year-old Coton has been troubled by a persistent knee problem that has made it difficult for him to take part in training sessions.
The club are set to grant Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a testimonial. The popular Norwegian, whose injury-time European Cup winner against Bayern Munich in 1999 assured him of iconic status at Old Trafford, was forced to admit defeat in his battle to overcome a long-standing knee problem in August.
His retirement ended an 11-year playing association with the Red Devils, who he joined from Molde for a bargain €906,000 in 1996.
Ferguson has already appointed Solskjaer to his coaching team and although his present brief is to develop United's young strikers, he has also spent time with the senior squad this season. It is also anticipated the 34-year-old will become an ambassador for United. Solskjaer is in the process of appointing a committee to arrange a testimonial and the club have confirmed he will get a chance to honour the United supporters for their backing throughout his outstanding career, which saw him net 126 goals in 366 appearances.
Although a precise date is yet to be set, it will form part of next summer's pre-season campaign in August, after United have returned from their three-match tour of South Africa.
- Guardian Service
