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Hard-hitting Lahm stays as skipper

Comment: 0 August 31st, 2011 by: admin

DESPITE criticising his former coaches in his autobiography, Philip Lahm will remain as captain of the German national football team.

After holding crucial talks with Lahm and other ranking officials of the squad, coach Joachim Low announced Tuesday that Lahm will not be stripped of his captaincy.

Appearing alongside Lahm in a press conference held in Dusseldorf, Low said Lahm has already apologised for the remarks he made.

“I told him that I wasn’t very happy that he had made public things about players and managers,’’ Low added. “But there was never any question of taking away his captaincy during our meeting.’’

The 27-year-old defender, who also plays for Bayern Munich, was lambasted himself after he openly lashed back at his previous coaches, including Low, in the book “The Subtle Difference – How to Become a Top Footballer Today.’’

Also hit by the skipper was Rudy Voeller, who answered by calling Lahm as someone who “lacks decency.’’

In the recently published autobiography, Lahm also derided former managers Jurgen Klinsmann, Louis van Gaal and Felix Magath.

Lahm clarified that he did not want to attack or offend Voeller and the others mentioned in the book. “Rather I wanted to portray my honest opinion about the work under different coaches at different times,’’ he said.

The captain’s armband was given to Lahm in 2010, the year Germany finished third in the World Cup held in South Africa.

Low also announced that Lukas Podolski’s role as starter will not be permanent.

Podolski has not scored for Germany since October 2010, and Low said he will speak to the striker/winger this week to discuss his situation with the team. Podolski also plays for FC Koln in the Bundesliga.

Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle is being eyed to take over Podolski’s spot in the national team.

The Germans will host Austria during a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday then travel to Poland for a friendly on Sept. 7.

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