Neuer anointed skipper as Germany start trail to 2018 World Cup

Germany captains seem to roll off the Bayern Munich assembly line. Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger took over as Germany skipper in September 2014 from his then Bayern team mate Philipp Lahm and now Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has taken over as captain.

Manuel Neuer has been named Germany skipper seven years after making his international debut. DR

The 30-year-old led ‘die Mannschaft’ out in five of Germany's six matches at Euro 2016 when Schweinsteiger started on the bench.

On the eve of their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Norway, Germany coach Joachim Loew handed Neuer the job full-time after considering other candidates such as Jerome Boateng, Thomas Mueller and Mats Hummels.

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"In the national team, we are in the fortunate position that we have several leading players who fit the format and a captain's profile," said Loew. "For me, Manuel Neuer was the logical successor to Bastian Schweinsteiger."

Loew added: "He brings everything to the table that I'd wish for in a captain. His sporting achievements are outstanding. Manuel is always there for the team, he is a team player and an absolute role model. He accepts responsibility but is always calm and collected."

Neuer made his international debut in 2009, in a 7-2 win against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, He has kept 25 clean-sheets in 71 of his Germany appearances and was between the posts when Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to claim the 2014 World Cup.

"For me it is a great honour," said Neuer. "It makes me proud to be captain of the team. But we all know that we need several players to lead on the pitch if we are to succeed. Of course, the captaincy has great symbolic significance and I am very pleased with the trust the coach has shown in me in this appointment."

Lothar Matthaeus, who captained Germany to the 1990 World Cup title in Italy, says Neuer is the right man for the job. "He has the personality, the demeanour and the reputation, within the team, to make a really good captain," said 55-year-old Matthaeus, Germany's most capped player with 150 appearances