Germany sporting director Rudi Voller expects Joshua Kimmich to remain national team captain under new head coach Jurgen Klopp, despite anticipation of sweeping changes at the start of a new era for the four-time world champions.
Klopp was appointed Germany manager last week, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann, who left his post after Die Mannschaft were eliminated in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup, losing to Paraguay on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
While Klopp used his first press conference to promise opportunities for all players in the squad, he stopped short of confirming who would wear the armband. That uncertainty has fuelled debate in Germany over whether the 57-year-old might reshape not only the team’s tactics but also its leadership structure.
Voller, however, does not expect Klopp to deviate from the current hierarchy.
Speaking at the International Coaches’ Congress in Mainz, the former Germany striker said: “I expect that Joshua Kimmich will remain captain of the national team. He has proven in many international matches that he is a real leader and a fantastic captain, and I cannot imagine there being a major change in this position.”
He added: “We all followed what Klopp said, and it did not seem that he had any different plans in this regard.”
Kimmich’s position and recent history
Kimmich assumed the captaincy of Germany after Ilkay Gundogan retired from international football in the wake of UEFA Euro 2024. The Bayern Munich midfielder has already earned 114 caps for his country and has become one of the side’s most influential figures on and off the pitch.
His status has led many observers to view him as the natural choice to continue as captain, despite the broader reset that often accompanies a change of head coach, particularly after a disappointing major tournament campaign.
Klopp has so far chosen not to address the captaincy issue in detail, instead outlining a more general vision in which every player in contention will get the chance to stake a claim for a place in the squad. His comments have been interpreted as a sign that he intends to refresh the team and increase competition for places, but Voller’s remarks suggest that the leadership core is likely to stay intact.
Klopp’s first competitive fixtures
Klopp’s competitive debut in charge of Germany is scheduled for the international window spanning September and October, when the team begin a testing run of fixtures in the UEFA Nations League.
Germany will face the Netherlands on 24 September, before hosting Greece three days later. That match will be followed by a meeting with Serbia and then a return fixture against Greece on 4 October, also in the Nations League.
These games will offer the first real indication of how Klopp intends to shape his Germany side – both in terms of style and personnel – after the disappointment of their early exit from the 2026 World Cup. They will also provide clarity on whether Kimmich’s role as captain, which Voller sees as secure, is formally confirmed by the new coach ahead of a crucial new cycle for the national team.
