Philipp Lahm wants to keep Germany captain’s job after World Cup, even if Ballack returns

Philipp Lahm wants to stay on as Germany captain

DURBAN, South Africa — Germany coach Joachim Loew says there is no discord in the German team following comments by Philipp Lahm that he wants to stay on as captain even if the injured Michael Ballack returns after the World Cup.

“It doesn’t bother us at all,” Loew said Tuesday, a day before his team’s semifinal with Spain. “He (Lahm) said what he said honestly and he’s done an exemplary job as captain.”

The 26-year-old Lahm is Germany’s youngest World Cup captain after an ankle injury forced longtime leader Ballack to miss the tournament. Ballack has been with the team in South Africa but left late Monday.

Loew said Ballack would return for Sunday’s final if Germany beats Spain.

Ballack had been receiving treatment from the team’s medical staff.

“The outlook is so positive that the doctors said he has to start training now,” Loew said.

Lahm told Tuesday’s edition of German daily Bild there was no reason to give up the captain’s role.

“I really enjoy the role,” the Bayern Munich defender said. “Why should I give up the job voluntarily?

“When you fulfill your role on the pitch and have it under control, as I do in my position, then you want more. You want more responsibility; you want to take care of the big picture. And that is the case with me now.”

Asked whether the national team still needs Ballack, Bild quoted Lahm as saying: “It’s not for me to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to that question.”

“Of course he likes being the captain and taking responsibility,” Loew said. “We have freedom of speech and he is free to say what he wants. But he knows that ultimately it’s the coach’s decision after the World Cup.”

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said earlier Tuesday that there was no dispute between Lahm and Ballack and that the timing of the interview was a coincidence.

“Michael Ballack is still our captain, and Philipp Lahm is now our World Cup captain,” Bierhoff said before the German team left its training camp near Pretoria to head to Durban for its semifinal.

Ballack arrived in South Africa to watch Germany beat Argentina 4-0 in the quarterfinals and had been expected to stay. The team said that Ballack left to continue therapy in Germany.

Bierhoff said the timing of Lahm’s interview was unfortunate, because it coincided with the Ballack’s departure.

“But there is no discord. We are pleased that Lahm has taken over the responsibility as captain. And what else can he say, except that he wants to remain captain?” Bierhoff said.

He said Lahm’s statement had been “over-interpreted” in the published interview.

Ballack has been a fixture with Germany since his goals took the team to the final of the 2002 World Cup. He had been captain since 2004.

Ballack is returning to Germany next season to play for Bayer Leverkusen after being released by Chelsea.

Associated Press Writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.