Heynckes sticks with Lahm as team captain
Schweini – a world-class player
Bayern Munich’s new coach Jupp Heynckes says he will keep Germany captain Philipp Lahm as leader of the Bavarian giants next season, with midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as his deputy.
“It is not necessary to change something,” said Heynckes, who is in his third stint in charge of Bayern, at the club’s pre-season training camp in Trentino, north Italy.
“Philipp’s doing very well, he’s been leading the way and he has an opinion. That is very important for the team.”
Heynckes replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal, who was sacked last season, and says Schweinsteiger has matured into a world-class player.
“I see him on a par with the outstanding midfielders in the Spanish league,” said Heynckes.
Bayern open their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Munich on August 7.
Heynckes has said Bayern’s top stars like Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, France winger Franck Ribery and Dutch forward Arjen Robben will not be shown special favours and will have to work for their places.
Ribery sat out training yesterday with a thigh injury, but is expected to resume with the squad today.