Kimmich Set to Remain Germany Captain Under Klopp

Germany may be licking their wounds after a limp Round of 32 World Cup exit, but one key pillar of the national side looks set to remain untouched: the captain’s armband on Joshua Kimmich’s arm.

Rudi Völler, speaking at the International Coaches’ Congress in Mainz, made it clear he expects continuity in at least one crucial area as Jürgen Klopp steps into the dugout.

“I assume so,” the sporting director said when asked if Kimmich would stay on as captain, according to DPA.

Völler did not dress it up. For him, Kimmich has already done enough to justify carrying the team into a new era.

“Jo Kimmich has proven in many international matches that he is a leader and a great captain. I cannot imagine there will be any major change in that position.”

The message was unmistakable: Klopp will bring energy, ideas, and almost certainly some hard decisions, but stripping Kimmich of the armband is not expected to be one of them.

Völler still underlined the hierarchy. The final word belongs to the new head coach.

“The final decision naturally rests with Klopp,” he said, before pointing to the new man’s early signals about the squad. “We have all followed what he has said. You didn’t really get the impression that anything else was planned.”

Kimmich only moved into the role recently, taking over the captaincy after Euro 2024 from Ilkay Gündogan. Now, after a bruising World Cup and with Klopp charged with restoring Germany’s edge on the biggest stage, the Bayern man looks set to remain the face – and the voice – of the team on the pitch.