Jogi Low announced that Bayern right back Phillipp Lahm would take over as German captain with Bayern team mate Bastian Schweinsteiger his deputy.
Low explained his decision to choose Lahm over Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose. He went with Lahm’s more cerebral demeanour.
“He expresses his opinion clearly and precisely to his circle in the team. And even outside of the field. He is a player who thinks about the composition of the team. For me, Philipp Lahm is an important partner. I know that his feedback is always open and honest.”
Michael Neuer was also chosen as the number one goalkeeper over Tim Weise and Hans Jorg Butt.
Philipp Lahm is the first full back to be honored as German captain and arguably the first defender too as Franz Beckenbauer technically speaking was a ‘sweeper’, a position created from midfield to patrol the field behind the man marking back four.
German captains since 1954:
Michael Ballack (2006), Oliver Kahn (2002), Jürgen Klinsmann (1998), Lothar Matthäus (1990,1994), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1982, 1986), Berti Vogts (1978), Franz Beckenbauer (1974), Uwe Seeler (1966, 1970), Hans Schäfer (1958, 1962), Fritz Walter (1954).