Hamburg - Former Germany keeper Jens Lehmann has expressed "surprise" at being accused of unsporting behaviour by Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick for throwing an opponent's boot away.

Striker Sejad Salihovic's boot came off at the feet of Stuttgart's Lehmann 20 metres from goal in Saturday's 3-3 Bundesliga draw. Instead of handing it back, the keeper threw it over his shoulder.

The Bosnia forward had to retrieve the shoe from the roof of the net where it had landed. Rangnick said Lehmann's action was "highly unsporting."

Hamburg - Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will decide on his future based on the success of his club VfB Stuttgart and doesn't even rule out another move at the age of 39.

"I like it a lot in Stuttgart, the atmosphere is nice and the people as well. But you never know what will happen ... It will depend a bit on the sporting development in Stuttgart," Lehmann told Saturday's edition of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) daily.

"I know I am 39 years old, but I don't feel this number."

Stuttgart - Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has called for Markus Babbel to be given a chance as coach of the Bundesliga club even without the German football federation's coaching badge.

The former Germany international defender Babbel has led Stuttgart to wins in both matches since succeeding the sacked Armin Veh a fortnight ago. Babbel, who was an assistant to Veh, has initially been made interim coach.

On Saturday he comes up against Bayern Munich, one of his former clubs, in the last day of the Bundesliga season before the winter break.

Hamburg - Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has escaped the wrath of German football authorities following some outspoken criticism of a referee, but two others may not be so fortunate.

The German Football Federation (DFB) said its control panel would be investigating both Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp and Werder Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro following incidents in the weekend's Bundesliga matches.