Reflections on Kahn

When Bayern München bought Oliver Kahn from SC Karlsruhe in 1994 it began a new era in the clubs evolution. Since his arrival in Munich, Bayern have secured a reputation as serious international contenders, year after year. This return to form for Bayern was also helped by a number of other factors, including the hiring of Trappatoni and later Hitzfeld as coaches, the purchase of Elber, Matthaus, Effenberg and Sammy Kuffor, and the bringing up of Owen Hargreaves from the youth team.

The news of Kahn's purchase by Bayern was not popular with all the fans however. At the time Bayern were fighting a close battle with Werda Bremen for supremacy in the league and Raymond Auman was in goal. Any skeptics (which included me) have long since been silenced as Kahn has become one of the best keepers to ever grace the game. While it has caused him problems at certain times, his dedication to both Bayern and the National team have been unquestionable and impressive, marred only by the failure to actually win the World Cup in 2002 and 2006.

The fact that he has been one of the greatest keepers and has only won 1 UEFA Cup and one Champions League title, makes tonight's result against Zenith so much more tragic. The 4-0 drubbing by the Russian side meant Bayern are out of the Cup, and with this Kahn will never again play international football. He is retiring from football at the end of the season.

As much as Bayern were odds on favorites to win tonight, and considering the caliber of the team it should have been a sure thing, this young team will have more chances at silverware, including in the Champions League next year. But Kahn won't, and for that reason, and after seeing his determination and effort against Getafe two weeks ago, the team should at least have made the final. From all accounts the Bayern that played tonight deserved the sharp defeat, and therein lies the justice of Football: even the best teams can fall to arrogance and complacency. But for Kahn, moved to tears after the drama in Getafe, somehow lost out.

But his legacy is secured. He has won some of the top individual accolades, a Champions League, a UEFA Cup, and a whole slew of domestic titles. He was the best of his generation, and thats how he will be remembered; for that and for punching his own team mate, Herzog, for running forward into the oppositions box and punching the ball into the net (for which he was sent off) and for being the center of the Bayern team for almost 15 years.

Ich sage danke.