EXCLUSIVE: Lehmann set for Arsenal return as former keeper starts coaching career



Jens Lehmann could be heading for a third spell at Arsenal after being offered a temporary coaching role as part of a plan to become a manager in the Barclays Premier League.



Eager to earn his UEFA Pro Licence, the former Arsenal keeper is waiting for a decision from Europe's governing body on whether he can enrol on a course with the Welsh FA, following objections from the German Federation.

If he is given permission, he will begin his year-long qualification next month, and Sportsmail understands he has already received a promise from his old club that he can help coach Arsenal's reserves, as part of his work experience.



Dreaming of the dugout: Jens Lehmann is looking to become a manager

Lehmann is embroiled in a row with the German Federation after missing the deadline for their latest course, due to talks about another playing comeback with Schalke at the age of 42.



Schalke asked him to return on a short-term basis, while they stepped up their search for a permanent successor to Manuel Neuer, following the Germany No 1's move to Bayern Munich.

When negotiations broke down, he applied to take his coaching badge with the Welsh FA but ran into opposition from German Federation sporting director Matthias Sammer, who insisted future Bundesliga coaches should learn the ropes in their own country.



Role model: Lehmann has the chance to learn from Arsene Wenger

Lehmann took his case to UEFA, and as he awaited the outcome, he said: 'What I like about the way the Welsh FA run their courses is that they have a good mixture of practical work and theory. In Germany, it is all theory, but in Wales, you get the chance to put it to the test.'



Despite doing media work in Germany, Lehmann is keen to break into coaching and would welcome an opportunity in the Premier League.



He is said to favour the English system of a boss having total control of team affairs, rather than the continental way of responsibilities being split between a coach and general manager.





