Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann set to complete takeover of German club as ex-goalkeeper has 'very concrete plans' for Bayern Munich local rivals

A potential ownership shakeup is brewing at 1860 Munich, as former German international goalkeeper and Arsenal icon Lehmann is reportedly preparing to step into a leading role at the third-division club. According to a report from Abendzeitung, which maintains close ties to the club, Lehmann has developed “very concrete plans” to join the Munich-based side and is actively seeking international partners to support his bid.

The move comes as controversial investor Hasan Ismaik signals his continued intention to sell his majority stake in TSV Munchen von 1860 GmbH & Co. KGaA, despite a previous ownership change involving a Swiss company falling through ahead of the current season. Lehmann and his group of co-investors would reportedly need to secure between €25 and €30 million to acquire Ismaik’s 60 per cent stake, which is currently held through HAM International Limited. Lehmann's takeover plans for 1860 Munich could also involve regional companies in addition to international investors. As part of his efforts to build a solid financial backing, Lehmann reportedly met recently with Martin Grafer, CEO of the club’s main sponsor, Die Bayerische.

Should the former Gooner succeed in acquiring Ismaik’s stake in 1860 Munich, he reportedly intends to take on a leading role in the club’s sporting operations, a move that could cast uncertainty over the future of current sporting director Christian Werner.

Lehmann's priority in case he succeeds in taking over at 1860 would be an ambitious stadium project that could reshape the club’s future. Rather than supporting the renovation of the aging Grunwalder Stadion in Giesing, Lehmann reportedly favors the construction of a brand-new multi-purpose arena on the eastern outskirts of Munich. According to AZ, the proposed stadium would have a capacity of between 40,000 and 50,000 spectators. Lehmann estimates the cost of the project to be between €200m and €450m.

Since his retirement, Lehmann has worked at several clubs in the Bundesliga to further his non-playing career. After serving as a goalkeeper coach at Arsenal in the 2017-18 season, he joined Augsburg as an assistant manager to then-head coach Manuel Baum in 2019. Following his sacking by Augsburg, he joined Hertha BSC's supervisory board in 2020. He was fired from the post in 2021 after making racist remarks to former footballer and Sky pundit Dennis Aogo. If he takes over at 1860 Munich, the goal will be for the club to return to the second division and, eventually, the top flight.