Jens Lehmann went on a bizarre rant attacking Robert Andrich’s new look ahead of Germany’s Euro 2024 quarter-final elimination at the hands of Spain, suggesting the midfielder had ‘personality problems’ while calling on UEFA to ban pink hair.
Andrich, 29, unveiled his striking dyed trim in Germany’s final training session on the eve of their all-important encounter with Spain – and the midfielder’s haircut caused quite a stir among fans, pundits and former players.
Earlier in the tournament, the Bayer Leverkusen star had opted for a bold platinum blond look, which was on full show as the hosts overcame Denmark at the last-16 stage.
Andrich had started all four of Germany’s matches heading into Friday’s absorbing quarter-final contest – and had been expected to continue his run in the side in Stuttgart – but was dropped to the bench as Julian Nagelsmann’s side suffered heartbreak on home soil.
The midfielder did, though, come on at half-time for Leroy Sane, while the scoreline was goalless, before a thrilling second half played out in which Florian Wirtz cancelled out Dani Olmo’s to force extra time at MHPArena.
Mikel Merino made himself a hero with a thumping 119th-minute header to book Spain a place in the semi-finals and set up an intriguing clash with France, while Germany were left to lick their wounds.
But one of the main talking points in German media, the morning after the night before, surrounds Lehmann and the former Arsenal goalkeeper’s strange condemnation of Andrich’s haircut in the build-up to the quarter-final.
Speaking on German outlet WELT, Lehmann said: ‘Nowadays, you have to be careful, because maybe he feels like a woman or something. You have to be very tolerant.
‘In the context of a national football team, which is the elite, I think that at some point it becomes a bit too much.
‘First it was blond hair, now it’s pink hair. What is he trying to show us? Does he somehow have personality problems that he has to stand out like that?
‘As a teammate, I would have found it very strange. And I don’t think the national coach thinks it’s so great either.’
Lehmann suggested Andrich’s pink locks had the potential to ’cause confusion among opponents’ and therefore should be banned by UEFA.
‘What if the opposing goalkeeper is wearing a pink shirt today?’ the ex-Germany international added.
‘The pink is extremely bright, it’s totally irritating on the football pitch.
‘I expect that UEFA will ban hair colours like Andrich’s. Because that can lead to confusion among opponents.’
Germany head coach Nagelsmann brushed off questions over Andrich’s haircut prior to his side’s defeat, saying he would prefer to stay out of such matters.
‘Everyone has their own way. I always stay relatively out of the hairdressing issues,’ he told reporters.
‘In the end, there are hairstyles that suggest a little more top performance than others.
‘Whether Robert is one of them with his is something you have to judge for yourself.’
Andrich himself, meanwhile, claimed that those who knew him well would not be ‘surprised’ by his choice of haircut.
‘I’ve been thinking about getting a new colour for a while,’ the Germany and Leverkusen midfielder said.
‘Those who have been following me for a while or my friends and family won’t be surprised.’
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