Rudi Völler backs Joshua Kimmich as Germany captain in Mainz; will continue as captain under Klopp
Rudi Völler backs Joshua Kimmich as Germany captain | Bundesliga
Rudi Völler backs Joshua Kimmich as Germany captain
Germany sporting director Rudi Völler says he expects Joshua Kimmich will continue as captain under new head coach Jürgen Klopp.
Kimmich was appointed Germany skipper by Julian Nagelsmann in September 2024 following Ilkay Gündogan ’s retirement from international football. While Nagelsmann’s resignation and Klopp’s arrival have opened the possibility of a leadership change, Völler sees no reason to alter the structure.
“I’m going to assume [he’ll continue in the role],” Völler said at the International Coaches’ Congress in Mainz. “Jo Kimmich has proven in many international matches that he’s a standard-bearer, a brilliant captain.”
Watch: What makes Joshua Kimmich so good?
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Klopp will name his first Germany squad ahead of his country’s 2026
27 UEFA Nations League meeting with the Netherlands on 24 September.
The fixture would represent Kimmich’s 115th cap for the senior side, having debuted under Joachim Löw in May 2016. Now 31, the Bayern Munich midfielder has also made 324 Bundesliga appearances, winning 10 league titles during a decorated club career.
Klopp has taken charge on a four-year contract after Germany’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a last-32 exit to Paraguay .
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