Lehmann stays German first choice

Previous boss Jurgen Klinsmann used Lehmann and Oliver Kahn before opting for Lehmann at the World Cup.

"Jens will continue to be our number one. I told him that I do not plan to rotate goalkeepers in future national team games," said Loew.

The Arsenal goalkeeper said: "I want to justify the confidence placed in me with good performances."

Lehmann became a national hero with his saves in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Argentina.

Kahn announced his retirement after the tournament, so Lehmann's back-up will probably be Stuttgart's Timo Hildebrand, who was Germany's third choice this summer.

Loew was Klinsmann's assistant at the tournament and has set his team the goal of winning the 2008 European Championship, played in Switzerland and Austria.

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