Oliver Kahn feels Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has made the right choice by naming Michael Rensing as his first-choice goalkeeper for the 2009/10 season. The 25-year-old helped the Bavarian giants beat Neckarelz 3-1 in the DFB-Pokal at the weekend to earn the Dutch coach's nod ahead of Hans-Jorg Butt.

Kahn, who wore the No1 jersey at Bayern for almost 15 years before retiring last summer, remains convinced that Rensing is his worthy successor. "It is not much of a surprise," he said.

"I have nothing against Butt, who has done a good job, but when you look at the overall potential, then Michael is younger. You have also got to give him the chance to make mistakes without discussing every goal he concedes. He has got to be allowed to develop."

You have got to give him the chance to make mistakes without discussing every goal he concedes. He has got to be allowed to develop.
Oliver Kahn on Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing

Rensing was installed in Bayern's starting XI by Van Gaal's predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann last term, but was unexpectedly dropped hours before their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona. Although Kahn thinks Rensing was not playing at a world-class standard over the course of the campaign, he believes Klinsmann was wrong in making him the scapegoat for his side's failings.

"That is extremely damaging for a player's development," Kahn told Munich's Tz newspaper. "You have got to be particularly careful with young players.

"In my eyes, Michael was not so bad last season anyway. He was average, but I cannot remember any glaring errors. I think it was totally exaggerated to pin the blame on him."

Faith
Kahn believes Bayern were over-reacting by trying to sign Manuel Neuer from Schalke this summer. He opined: "I'm sorry but what kind of a season did Manuel have two years ago?

"Of course he is at a very good level now, but I cannot recall Rensing making anywhere near as many errors as Neuer did when he was going through a rough patch. But Schalke stood by him 100 per cent.

"Look at what Real Madrid did with (Iker) Casillas. He cost them plenty of games in the beginning, but they stood by him and now look - he is European champion."