© Reuters 2002

BERLIN, Oct 11 (Reuters) - The head of Germany's football association appealed on Friday to Oliver Kahn to quickly forget any idea of retiring before the 2006 World Cup after the goalkeeper hinted he was thinking of quitting by then.

Football association (DFB) president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder was quoted in an advance copy of Saturday's Bild newspaper saying Kahn should not let a number of recent sub-par performances get him down.

Kahn had hinted in a Bild interview published on Friday that he was not sure he could keep an earlier promise to continue playing for Germany through the 2006 World Cup to be hosted in his home country.

"I hope that I can hold on through 2006, but I cannot guarantee it," said Kahn, 33, ahead of a Germany friendly against Bosnia on Friday evening in Sarajevo.

Kahn, Bayern Munich's goalkeeper, recently said he was ready to step down as Germany captain after coming under fire for an ugly foul in the Bundesliga last month.

Kahn became the first goalkeeper to win FIFA's Golden Ball award for the best player in this year's World Cup after his saves helped Germany through to the final, which they lost 2-0 to Brazil.

"We need Olli Kahn," said Mayer-Vorfelder. "I hope that he continues to play for Germany through the World Cup in his home country.

"If he is in a slump right now I'm sure he'll get back out of it again. He's so important for the team."