Kahn ready to give up German captaincy after clash

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said he is prepared to give up the captaincy of the national team after a clash with fellow international Thomas Brdaric in a Bundesliga match.

"If anyone thinks I can no longer fulfill this exemplary role then naturally I will give up the job," Kahn said in Monday's Kicker magazine.

Kahn was heavily criticised after grabbing Brdaric by the neck during Bayern's 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bayern keeper, voted the best shotstopper at this year's World Cup finals, was upset that Brdaric had shot the ball into the net despite the whistle sounding for a foul. Both players received yellow cards and Brdaric was later sent off after receiving a second booking.

Brdaric said he had felt he was "in danger of death" but Kahn retorted: "We were on a football field and football is a man's sport and not a comedy show."

Bayer Leverkusen's general manager Reiner Calmund gave Kahn a vote of support.

"There were fifty fouls on this Bundesliga weekend that were worse and we haven't talked about them.

He told Kahn to "take a cold shower, have a chat with national coach Rudi Voller and remain captain."