Lehmann quits international scene

Germany keeper Jens Lehmann has announced his retirement from international football.

The former Arsenal player made his decision after a two-hour discussion with Germany manager Joachim Low.

The 38-year-old said he could not give assurances he would still be playing football after his one-year contract with new club Stuttgart expires.

Lehmann earned 61 caps for Germany in a 10-year career, the last of which in the Euro 2008 final defeat to Spain.

He had refused to say whether he would retire after the tournament, where he had been the second oldest player behind Austrian Ivica Vastic.

But after careful consideration, Lehmann said he had made up his mind to quit.

"I suggested to him (Low) and to (goalkeeping coach) Andreas Koepke that they no longer include me in their plans for the German national team," he told the German Football Federation's website.

Lehmann signed for Arsenal in 2003, spending five years with the north London side before joining Bundesliga club Stuttgart at the end of last season.

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