Oliver Kahn

Oliver Rolf Kahn (born 15 June 1969) is a German football executive and former professional goalkeeper. He began his career at age six with the Karlsruher SC youth team in 1975, made his professional debut in 1987, and moved to Bayern Munich in 1994 for a then-record fee of DM 4.6 million, staying there until his retirement in 2008. Known for his commanding presence and aggressive style, he earned the nicknames "Der Titan" from the press and "Vul-kahn" from fans.

Kahn is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers ever. His career honours include eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, the 1996 UEFA Cup, and both the UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup in 2001. Individually, he won a record four consecutive UEFA Best European Goalkeeper awards, three IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper awards, and two German Footballer of the Year trophies. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he became the only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball as tournament MVP.

He placed fifth in both the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the 21st Century and Best Goalkeeper of the Past 25 Years rankings. From 1994 to 2006, Kahn played for the German national team, becoming the starter after Andreas Köpke’s retirement. He was an unused squad member when Germany won Euro 1996. At the 2002 World Cup, despite an injury, his goalkeeping was key to reaching the final, where Germany lost 2–0 to Brazil.

Kahn made a mistake on Brazil’s first goal but still received the Golden Ball. He served as CEO of Bayern Munich from July 2021 to May 2023. Kahn joined Karlsruher SC at age six, following his father Rolf, who played for the club from 1962 to 1965. He started as a field player before switching to goalkeeper.

He joined the professional squad in the 1987–88 season as a reserve behind Alexander Famulla, making his league debut on 27 November 1987 in a 4–0 loss to 1. FC Köln. Manager Winfried Schäfer made him the starter in 1990. Kahn became a key player and motivator for the team, which reached the 1993–94 UEFA Cup semi-finals.

In the round of sixteen, after losing 3–1 away to Valencia, Karlsruher won 7–0 at home in what German media called the "Miracle at Wildparkstadion." The team lost to SV Austria Salzburg in the semi-final. Kahn’s performances led Bayern Munich to sign him for a record DM 4.6 million at the start of the 1994–95 season, replacing Raimond Aumann. He became the starting goalkeeper despite a ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for nearly six months.

He made his Germany debut two months after returning. Bayern won the 1996 UEFA Cup Final 3–1 against Bordeaux. In the 1996–97 season, Kahn won his first Bundesliga title and the German League Cup, and was named German Goalkeeper of the Year for the second time (first in 1994). In 1999, Bayern reached the Champions League Final, where they led Manchester United 1–0 until two injury-time goals gave United the win.

That year, Kahn was named World Goalkeeper of the Year by the IFFHS. On 3 March 2001, against Hansa Rostock, with Bayern trailing 3–2, Kahn sneaked into the area during a corner, punched the ball into the net, and was sent off. He later joked, "I thought the goalkeeper was allowed to use his hands in the box." He played a key role in winning the 2000–01 Champions League, saving three penalties in the shoot-out against Valencia and earning man of the match.

He also received the UEFA Fair Play Award for comforting opposing goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares after the shoot-out. That year, Bayern won the Intercontinental Cup against Boca Juniors. Kahn attributed a decline in his form during the 2002–03 season to injuries, personal problems, and lack of motivation. This included a soft goal from Roberto Carlos in the 2003–04 Champions League that helped eliminate Bayern.

The team won the Bundesliga the following season. Before a 2006 match against Arminia Bielefeld, a practice shot from Michael Rensing hit Kahn in the eye, causing swelling that kept him out. Rensing played and Bayern won 2–0. Kahn honoured his contract and played through the 2007–08 season.