National team
Nagelsmann: Gündogan will also be DFB captain at the European Championships
Ilkay Gündogan (l) should remain DFB captain. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Julian Nagelsmann is not changing anything about this important personality. Ilkay Gündogan will remain captain of the national team, even if long-time captain Manuel Neuer returns.
“Ilkay will remain captain. I’ve said a lot to him. He’s someone who never shouts, I’m very happy with that,” said national coach Julian Nagelsmann before the international friendly against Mexico in Philadelphia.
New after a ten-month break before a comeback
Gündogan was appointed DFB captain by Nagelsmann’s predecessor Hansi Flick in September. The new national coach confirmed this personnel decision. After Neuer broke his leg last December, Joshua Kimmich initially took over the position in the goalkeeper’s absence. Neuer’s name was not mentioned by Nagelsmann at the press conference in Philadelphia.
Neuer is about to make a comeback at FC Bayern Munich after an almost ten-month break. He can only return to the DFB circle in November at the earliest, when the last European Championship tests of this year against Turkey (November 18th) in Berlin and against Austria (November 21st) in Vienna are scheduled. The number one goal in Germany is currently Marc-André ter Stegen.
Neuer has worn the captain’s armband in 60 of his 117 international matches. Only record national player Lothar Matthäus was captain of the DFB team more often – in 75 international matches. At Lincoln Financial Field, Gündogan will lead the national team as captain for the eighth time.