Sebastian Kehl is going through the last training camp of his career. “You probably have to get used to the fact that, as of this summer, there won’t be a number 5 jersey featuring Kehl on the back,” he told a press conference in La Manga on Monday.

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Sebastian Kehl on…

…the hardships of training camps:

As expected, we are practicing a lot here in La Manga, but we also have big plans for the second half of the season. The squad is looking very good, and it’s normal to talk some trash in training. This is all part of preparation. We are looking forward to the second half of the season; we are now going full tilt!

…the relegation struggle in the Bundesliga:

I wouldn’t have thought that at the end of my career I would face the kind of problems Borussia Dortmund have had in the first half of the season. It’s a new situation. We mustn’t lose our heads. We have a lot of strengths, and should remind ourselves of them in the second half. We are playing a certain type of football - and we have not done that well in the first half of the season.

…youngster Felix Passlack:

He’s 16, I’m 34. Some players have already joked he could be my son. He’s doing a great job, he’s cheeky and is taking in all the experiences here with a huge smile on his face.

…his role as a leader of the team:

My role in the team has not fundamentally changed, although Mats is now the man who leads us. I’m still addressing issues, now of course a lot of them together with Mats.

…sitting out training on Tuesday:

I took a knock on the knee yesterday but I should be fine by tomorrow.

… the end of his career in the summer:

I like people asking me to postpone my retirement. But my decision stands. You probably have to get used to the fact that, as of this summer, there won’t be a number 5 jersey featuring Kehl on the back.