By Arne Richter, dpa
Dusseldorf (dpa) – Germany coach Joachim Loew Thursday appointed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as the new national team captain to succeed Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Neuer is the first keeper to wear the captain’s armband for Germany since Oliver Kahn, who was skipper until 2004.
The 30-year-old Bayern Munich keeper had captained the world champions during Euro 2016 when Schweinsteiger did not start following recovery from injury.
«It’s a great honour for me. It makes me proud to be captain of the team,» Neuer said. «But we all know we need several leaders on the pitch if we want to be successful.»
Loew said Neuer was «the obvious choice» although he had other candidates including central defender Jerome Boateng and midfielder Sami Khedira.
«He has everything I wish for a captain,» Loew said of Neuer. «His performances are outstanding. Manuel is always available for the team, he is a team player and an absolute role model.
«On top of that are his qualities as a person. He takes on responsibility, he leads the way but at the same time is calm and level-headed.»
Neuer’s first official game as captain will be Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.
It will be a 72nd cap for the keeper, who made his international debut in a 7-2 victory over the United Arab Emirates in June 2009 while playing for Schalke.
Following Schweinsteiger’s emotional farewell in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat of Finland, Loew has to change his plans for the trip to Norway in view of injury problems.
Striker Kevin Volland with a hand fracture and midfielder Emre Can with an ankle injury are both out, while midfielder Julian Draxler is suffering from a flu vurus.
Loew wanted to send Max Meyer, Niklas Suele and Julian Brandt – three youngsters from Germany’s Olympics team – home for some rest, but now only Suele has returned as planned to his club side Hoffenheim.
«But we will have a good team and we will be doing everything (to win),» Loew said of the Norway game.
Schweinsteiger meanwhile enjoyed his farewell in Moenchengladbach, ending his long international career with a 67-minute appearance to earn his 121st cap.
«Along with winning the World Cup in Rio this day was certainly one of the most emotional,» he told reporters after the game.
Schweinsteiger had struggling to contain his emotions in speeches before kick-off.
«Rio was very, very emotional. Now you have seen that this evening touched me,» he said.
«I have to say thank you because I didn’t think I would be so moved.
I am very, very happy. It was a great day. I had a wonderful time with the national team.»
