Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn has said Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann still owed him an explanation for replacing him as first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup, though he did not expect to get one.

Kahn told German magazine Der Spiegel he would never accept Klinsmann's decision to replace him with Arsenal's Jens Lehmann as the country's No 1 keeper, and said sitting on the bench during the World Cup was "not pleasant."

"Normally, I'd have expected a thorough explanation (from Klinsmann)," he was quoted as saying in the magazine. "But as there hasn't been one up until now, there probably won't be one."

Television coverage of Germany's 2-0 second round victory over Sweden on Saturday was punctuated with shots of a grim-faced Kahn watching the match from the bench as elated German fans celebrated in the stands.

"Until recently, I was firmly convinced I would be playing (in the World Cup)," he said. "Every walk to the bench has been tough. I watch the game, try to form an impression of the action and then disappear into the changing room as fast as possible."

Kahn said the only reason he had heard for why he was dropped was that Lehmann was supposedly playing a "tick" better.

"I'm sorry, but do you replace the one who's been the No 1 for years when he's playing consistently because another keeper is supposed to be a 'tick' better? That's no justification for me," he said.

Kahn highlighted how he had been playing at the "top level" for the past two years, and helped his team win the German league and German Cup twice, in addition to what he called "immense tournament experience."

Source: China Daily