LEHMANN: YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

JENS LEHMANN claims England’s “insular” mentality is the reason why they do not win major tournaments.

The former Germany keeper says his nation would never think in the way England do when it comes to approaching World Cups and it is the reason they always fail.

Arsenal legend Lehmann, in his new autobiography (below), says England also always get carried away before tournaments – and then end up falling flat on their faces.

But his insight into the difference between the English and German mentality during the 2006 World Cup should serve as a warning and lesson to Three

Lions boss

Gareth

Southgate.

Lehmann, recalling the tournament that Germany hosted, said: “We wanted to finish top of our group, in order to be matched with a supposedly weaker runner-up in the next round, which potentially could have involved England.

“I had some acquaintances in the team’s entourage, who told me that the Three Lions would do everything in their power to avoid meeting us in the second phase.

“Hence, if we were to finish second after all, they wanted to do so too, so as not to get involved with us.

“Typical English, I thought, such a thing would never have crossed our minds.

“If you want to be world champion, you have to beat everyone, no matter where and how.

“But we acknowledged this insular avoidance strategy with satisfaction. Evidently, we were to be reckoned with once again.”

Lehmann (top, playing against England’s Michael Owen in 2007), is now back at Arsenal as part of Arsene Wenger’s coaching staff.

And he also recalled how the German build-up to Euro 2008 was in stark contrast to how England would approach such tournaments.

“The tournament had not even begun and we were being lambasted - a typical German fad,” said Lehmann.

“Perhaps, though, that is exactly what we need, so that we might rise like a phoenix from the ashes and fly all the way to the Mount Olympus of sports.

“The English, in contrast, already get high on their team before a tournament – they probably fancy a feeling of elation, at least before games.

“We Germans prefer it the other way round.”

Jens Lehmann’s autobiography, The Madness is on the Pitch (decoubertin) is released on November 14. www. decoubertin.co.uk/ Lehmann