Schweinsteiger named new Germany captain

BASTIAN Schweinsteiger has been named as Germany’s captain to replace the retired Philipp Lahm. The 30-year-old midfielder, who will miss the next two games because of a lingering knee injury, will take over from his Bayern Munich team-mate, who is also 30 but stepped back from international football after winning the World Cup.

Germany’s coach Joachim Löw also named the former Stuttgart coach Thomas Schneider as his new assistant coach. He replaces Hansi Flick, who gave up the position he held since 2006 to become the German football federation’s sporting director.

The Bayern Munich midfielder, who is the most experienced player in the squad since the departure of Lahm, will miss Sunday’s Euro 2016 World Cup qualifier against Scotland. “Bastian is the absolute leader and he has always shouldered responsibility for the national team on and off the pitch,” Löw said.

“I know Bastian is always there when we need him. He will be a great and worthy captain of our team. He is a legitimate successor to Philipp.”

Löw also announced a late call-up, bringing in the midfielder Sebastian Rudy with Jérôme Boateng and Sami Khedira doubtful for the Argentina game and Mesut Özil and Mats Hummels ruled out. – The Guardian