Captains fantastic: Meet the team leaders
Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer
Following in the footsteps of Philipp Lahm, who retired at the tender age of 33, is another World Cup winner. The new Germany captain and Bayern number one will try to lead the record champions to a sixth Bundesliga title in a row.
RB Leipzig: Willi Orban
Orban usually wore the armband during the 2016/17 season because Dominik Kaiser was rarely in the starting eleven. After Leipzig finished a stunning first campaign in the top flight in second place, their 24-year-old centre back was officially named captain earlier this month.
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Borussia Dortmund:Marcel Schmelzer
Although Mario Götze was given the responsibility in friendly matches that Schmelzer missed through injury, the left-back is set to remain as captain under new coach Peter Bosz.
Hoffenheim: Eugen Polanski
Polanski featured in only 14 matches last season but the Polish midfielder will continue as skipper after the rest of the squad voted for him to stay in the role. With Sebastian Rudy leaving for Bayern Munich in the close season, Kevin Vogt will deputise if Polanski is not on the field.
Cologne: Matthias Lehmann
Veteran midfielder Lehmann has worn the armband since the beginning of the 2015/2016 campaign. The 34-year-old started 21 games to help the Billy Goats finish fifth last season, meaning he will have the honour of leading the club into Europe after a 25-year absence.
Hertha Berlin: Vedad Ibisevic
Ibisevic took over from Fabian Lustenberger last term and he led by example by netting 12 league goals. The 33-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international signed a contract extension last November and will lead Hertha into the UEFA Europa League group stages in September.
Freiburg: Julian Schuster
Like at Hoffenheim, Freiburg’s players have a major say in who gets to be captain. At the club since 2008, 32-year-old Schuster will be the go-to man for the sixth season in succession.
Werder Bremen: Zlatko Junuzovic
Junuzovic had already been filling in on the pitch when he was informed before the end of 2016/17 that his new function would become permanent this season. The Austrian free-kick expert takes over from Clemens Fritz, who retired in June.
“Zlatko has captained the side very well over the last few weeks,” Werder boss Alexander Nouri said in May. “He has my full trust and will wear the captain’s armband next season.”
Borussia Mönchengladbach: Lars Stindl
Stindl was in inspiring form during the second half of last season and finished the campaign with 11 Bundesliga goals to go with a memorable UEFA Europa League hat-trick against Fiorentina. Having excelled while helping Germany win the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia – one of his three strikes was a winner against Chile in the final – the 28-year-old has strengthened his position as skipper of the Foals.
Schalke: Ralf Fährmann
A new coach means a new captain at Schalke. Benedikt Höwedes served in the role for six seasons but Domenico Tedesco has named goalkeeper Fährmann to replace the World Cup winning defender. “We want to give the team a new impetus and share responsibility across a number of players,” said Tedesco, who has appointed Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka as vice-captain.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Alexander Meier
The 34-year-old, affectionately known as a “Football God” by Eagles supporters, is still the main man in Frankfurt. The striker is still planning a return from injury, however, so David Abraham will deputise in his absence.
Bayer Leverkusen: Lars Bender
Now reunited with his twin brother Sven – who made the switch from Borussia Dortmund this summer – Lars Bender will continue in his current job as Die Werkself’s on-field leader.
Due to injury the 28-year-old only started nine Bundesliga matches last season but new Leverkusen manager Heiko Herrlich confirmed in July that Bender would be club captain.
“There is no reason to change it,” Herrlich said. “Otherwise I would have already said so.”
Augsburg: Daniel Beier
Following the departure of last season’s skipper Paul Verhaegh for Wolfsburg, midfielder Daniel Baier will take over. The 33-year-old signed a new contract last month, which should see him complete a decade’s service at the club.
Hamburg: Gotoku Sakai
Japanese international Sakai was given the honour in November and will remain in position this season. “The coach told me that I had already done a lot of good things last season but he also wants me to take on even more responsibility,” Sakai said this month. “I want that too.”
What type of leader is the 26-year-old? “I am quiet in the changing room but that all changes when I take to the pitch,” he said last year.
Mainz: Niko Bungert
Although Bungert was not first choice last season, he will still be club captain under new Mainz boss Sandro Schwarz.
“Niko Bungert has done his job as captain brilliantly in the past few years,” Schwarz said. “Both on and off the pitch he is a real leadership type.”
Stefan Bell will wear the armband if Bungert is not in the starting eleven.
Wolfsburg: Mario Gomez
Having saved his team from relegation last season with 16 league goals and one in the play-off against Eintracht Braunschweig, it is no surprise that the Germany striker has been offered the armband. He succeeds Diego Benaglio, the Swiss goalkeeper who had the responsibility for five years before leaving for Monaco this summer.
“I understand every player when he says it’s a dream to be named captain of your team,” Gomez said. “It’s something very special and it means you’re doing a good job.”
Stuttgart: Christian Gentner
There will be extra competition for places in Stuttgart’s midfield this season following their promotion as Bundesliga 2 champions. As a result, Gentner is no longer guaranteed a starting place but Stuttgart manager Hannes Wolf says the 31-year-old’s position as captain is not under threat.
“He remains captain and his importance to us is huge,” Wolf said recently.
Hannover: Edgar Prib
Manuel Schmiedebach was skipper at Hannover for their promotion season but Andre Breitenreiter, who only took over as manager last March, has now given that task to Prib.
“Since I’ve been coach of Hannover 96, Edgar Prib has convinced with excellent performances on the pitch and has taken on responsibility in pressure situations,” Breitenreiter said.
“As a complete team player, he gives everything to the overall success of the club, is respected within the squad and as a long-standing servant is a role model for our club.”