His name was mentioned in every discussion about the possible identity of Germany’s new captain. After Philipp Lahm’s retirement, his Bayern Munich team-mate and deputy was generally considered the favourite to inherit the armband, and now the leading candidate has finally been given the green light. On the eve of the World Cup Final rerun against Argentina in Düsseldorf on Wednesday (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET), national team coach Joachim Löw publicly announced what he told his team the previous evening: Bastian Schweinsteiger is Die Mannschaft’s new captain.
But what does the newly appointed skipper make of all this, what kind of conversation did he have with Löw, and will his new role change his approach? In the latest DFB.de interview, the 30-year-old Schweinsteiger discusses his aims as captain, his leadership style – and his hunger for more success.
DFB.de: Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain of the German national football team – how does that sound to you?
Bastian Schweinsteiger: I’ve already had the honour of captaining the national team on a couple of occasions. It’s an honour and a pleasure but also a duty at the same time.
DFB.de: How did you feel when Joachim Löw told you that he wanted you to succeed Philipp Lahm as Germany captain?
Schweinsteiger: It was a very nice moment and a good conversation. Joachim Löw and I have been working together since 2004 and the whole experience – including the highlight of winning the World Cup – understandably binds us together. In this respect, I considered it a privilege and a compliment to be named as a first among equals, as it were, by a coach who has known me for many years and whose confidence and support I have always appreciated.
DFB.de: What new tasks and changes does this role bring for you?
Schweinsteiger: I don’t think my on-pitch attitude will change. My personal leadership style has been developed over the past few years and has been successful, but I also know that there are added responsibilities that come with this role, particularly off the pitch. Philipp did a great job when it came to representing the team and working with the media. Every player has his own personality and way of doing things. I know what’s expected of a Germany captain and the fact that sport should always remain the primary focus, so I’ll work hard to meet those expectations. After more than a decade with Bayern Munich and more than 100 international caps, I know many figures in sport, business and politics, and I’ll continue to build on that.
DFB.de: Have you spoken with Philipp Lahm about your new role yet?
Schweinsteiger: No, not yet. Philipp did this job brilliantly and in his own way. I have my own style and I know what it means to shoulder responsibility for this team. Together we’ve always been able to get the best out of each other.
DFB.de: How would you describe your leadership style, and what’s important to you when dealing with your players?
Schweinsteiger: I’m someone who prefers to have one-on-one conversations with people. I won’t be criticising any of my team-mates in full view out on the pitch as it was something I hated as a young player too. I find it’s best to discuss things in the dressing room or back at the hotel over a cup of coffee. My team-mates know full well that I’m always prepared to support each individual. That’s always been the case, and that’s how it’ll stay. It’s all about the team, and I expect the same attitude from my team-mates. I guess you call it leading by example, and it’s how we became world champions together.
DFB.de: What previous captaincy experience do you have? You’ve already worn the armband several times in your career.
Schweinsteiger: It’s always very special to lead a team out as captain, whether for Germany or at Bayern Munich, but my teams have always been most successful when we’ve had 11 to 14 leaders out on the pitch, all conducting themselves accordingly. During the 2014 World Cup and Bayern’s treble-winning season in 2012/2013 we had a squad full of captains, and that’s the way it should be.
DFB.de: You’ve played in teams captained by Stefan Effenberg, Oliver Kahn, Mark van Bommel, Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm. Did you learn any specific things from them?
Schweinsteiger: I could talk at length about that – there’s certainly no short answer to that question – but let me put it this way: as a young player I didn’t always understand why the captain acted the way he did in certain situations, no matter who he was. I understand that much better nowadays. Every single one of them was fantastically skilled in the role, and now I’ll be taking my own approach.
DFB.de: As the new captain of the national team, what is your target for the next major tournament, EURO 2016 in France?
Schweinsteiger: Winning the trophy, without a doubt. The national coach and we as a team want to continue making history. We were unlucky at EURO 2012, so we still want to make up for that and take full advantage of this fresh opportunity. When I think of the incredible players that will still be in our squad, I think we’ll have the right blend of youth and experience to try and win the title in France. None of us have won this competition; the last time Germany were European champions was 18 years ago, so it’ll be 20 years by the time EURO 2016 comes around. I’m looking forward to that time and that tournament already, but right now our focus is on the qualifiers. That’s our first job.
DFB.de: You won’t be able to play a part in the first EURO 2016 qualifier or the World Cup Final rerun against Argentina. When will we see you back in a Bayern and Germany shirt, and how are things going for you at the moment?
Schweinsteiger: After a partially unsuccessful operation on my ankle in June 2013, I had another operation in December 2013 that forced me to work very hard to get fit for the World Cup. Now my body just needs a little time, but I’m getting there. I’m in the prime of my career and am looking forward to the playing time I still have ahead of me. I think I’ll be back to full fitness within the next couple of weeks, but it makes perfect sense to let the injury heal completely for both my sake and that of Bayern and the national team.
DFB.de: You’ll have an opportunity to relive the World Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro once more in Düsseldorf with everyone who took part. What emotions will you take into Wednesday’s game?
Schweinsteiger: The thing that strikes me is the extent to which the world champions from 1974 and 1990 are still united by their shared success. It’s a history that will bind us together forever, not only the players but also the entire team at the DFB. But the success of the past also provides us with the incentive and motivation we need for the future. There’s no need to worry that we’ve lost our edge – in fact, we’re as hungry as ever.
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His name was mentioned in every discussion about the possible identity of Germany’s new captain. After Philipp Lahm’s retirement, his Bayern Munich team-mate and deputy was generally considered the favourite to inherit the armband, and now the leading candidate has finally been given the green light. On the eve of the World Cup Final rerun against Argentina in Düsseldorf on Wednesday (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET), national team coach Joachim Löw publicly announced what he told his team the previous evening: Bastian Schweinsteiger is Die Mannschaft’s new captain.
But what does the newly appointed skipper make of all this, what kind of conversation did he have with Löw, and will his new role change his approach? In the latest DFB.de interview, the 30-year-old Schweinsteiger discusses his aims as captain, his leadership style – and his hunger for more success.
DFB.de: Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain of the German national football team – how does that sound to you?
Bastian Schweinsteiger: I’ve already had the honour of captaining the national team on a couple of occasions. It’s an honour and a pleasure but also a duty at the same time.
DFB.de: How did you feel when Joachim Löw told you that he wanted you to succeed Philipp Lahm as Germany captain?
Schweinsteiger: It was a very nice moment and a good conversation. Joachim Löw and I have been working together since 2004 and the whole experience – including the highlight of winning the World Cup – understandably binds us together. In this respect, I considered it a privilege and a compliment to be named as a first among equals, as it were, by a coach who has known me for many years and whose confidence and support I have always appreciated.
DFB.de: What new tasks and changes does this role bring for you?
Schweinsteiger: I don’t think my on-pitch attitude will change. My personal leadership style has been developed over the past few years and has been successful, but I also know that there are added responsibilities that come with this role, particularly off the pitch. Philipp did a great job when it came to representing the team and working with the media. Every player has his own personality and way of doing things. I know what’s expected of a Germany captain and the fact that sport should always remain the primary focus, so I’ll work hard to meet those expectations. After more than a decade with Bayern Munich and more than 100 international caps, I know many figures in sport, business and politics, and I’ll continue to build on that.
DFB.de: Have you spoken with Philipp Lahm about your new role yet?
Schweinsteiger: No, not yet. Philipp did this job brilliantly and in his own way. I have my own style and I know what it means to shoulder responsibility for this team. Together we’ve always been able to get the best out of each other.
DFB.de: How would you describe your leadership style, and what’s important to you when dealing with your players?
Schweinsteiger: I’m someone who prefers to have one-on-one conversations with people. I won’t be criticising any of my team-mates in full view out on the pitch as it was something I hated as a young player too. I find it’s best to discuss things in the dressing room or back at the hotel over a cup of coffee. My team-mates know full well that I’m always prepared to support each individual. That’s always been the case, and that’s how it’ll stay. It’s all about the team, and I expect the same attitude from my team-mates. I guess you call it leading by example, and it’s how we became world champions together.
DFB.de: What previous captaincy experience do you have? You’ve already worn the armband several times in your career.
Schweinsteiger: It’s always very special to lead a team out as captain, whether for Germany or at Bayern Munich, but my teams have always been most successful when we’ve had 11 to 14 leaders out on the pitch, all conducting themselves accordingly. During the 2014 World Cup and Bayern’s treble-winning season in 2012/2013 we had a squad full of captains, and that’s the way it should be.
DFB.de: You’ve played in teams captained by Stefan Effenberg, Oliver Kahn, Mark van Bommel, Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm. Did you learn any specific things from them?
Schweinsteiger: I could talk at length about that – there’s certainly no short answer to that question – but let me put it this way: as a young player I didn’t always understand why the captain acted the way he did in certain situations, no matter who he was. I understand that much better nowadays. Every single one of them was fantastically skilled in the role, and now I’ll be taking my own approach.
DFB.de: As the new captain of the national team, what is your target for the next major tournament, EURO 2016 in France?
Schweinsteiger: Winning the trophy, without a doubt. The national coach and we as a team want to continue making history. We were unlucky at EURO 2012, so we still want to make up for that and take full advantage of this fresh opportunity. When I think of the incredible players that will still be in our squad, I think we’ll have the right blend of youth and experience to try and win the title in France. None of us have won this competition; the last time Germany were European champions was 18 years ago, so it’ll be 20 years by the time EURO 2016 comes around. I’m looking forward to that time and that tournament already, but right now our focus is on the qualifiers. That’s our first job.
DFB.de: You won’t be able to play a part in the first EURO 2016 qualifier or the World Cup Final rerun against Argentina. When will we see you back in a Bayern and Germany shirt, and how are things going for you at the moment?
Schweinsteiger: After a partially unsuccessful operation on my ankle in June 2013, I had another operation in December 2013 that forced me to work very hard to get fit for the World Cup. Now my body just needs a little time, but I’m getting there. I’m in the prime of my career and am looking forward to the playing time I still have ahead of me. I think I’ll be back to full fitness within the next couple of weeks, but it makes perfect sense to let the injury heal completely for both my sake and that of Bayern and the national team.
DFB.de: You’ll have an opportunity to relive the World Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro once more in Düsseldorf with everyone who took part. What emotions will you take into Wednesday’s game?
Schweinsteiger: The thing that strikes me is the extent to which the world champions from 1974 and 1990 are still united by their shared success. It’s a history that will bind us together forever, not only the players but also the entire team at the DFB. But the success of the past also provides us with the incentive and motivation we need for the future. There’s no need to worry that we’ve lost our edge – in fact, we’re as hungry as ever.
