van Bommel given armband

By: Angela | August 8th, 2008

How happy am I today? Extremely. The love of my football life has been officially given the Captains armband. Not just for the pre-season, but the entire season. Klinsmann has named Mark to be Oliver Kahn’s predecessor in the Captain’s role. He will have deputies in Martin Demichelis and Lucio. I’ve been hoping for this since the announcement of Kahn’s retirement and I couldn’t be more pleased. It seems that Klinsmann has been reading the Bayern Offside and my many arguments for Mark as Captain.

“He is predestined for this position,” coach Juergen Klinsmann said Friday. “Mark is suited to this role. Since the beginning of pre-season the team have been well led. He is enthusiastic and is not afraid to criticise when he feels it necessary. He can also communicate with the team in many languages.”

In case you’re not aware, he speaks his native Dutch along with German, Spanish and English. van Bommel is the first foreign player to skipper the Bavarian giants. He has made 56 appearances for the team since joining them in 2006. He is the team’s 14th Captain. Mark’s first official full time role as Captain will come when he leads his team out for Sunday’s first-round German Cup match at Rot-Weiss Erfurt. This has made my day and now I can set off to work in a good mood.

Category: FC Bayern Munich, Players, Team News

Tags: Captain, FC Bayern Munich, mark van bommel, Players, Team News

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• Lynn |  August 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am

  
  
  

  Congratulations, Angela! (: I know exactly how you feel, ’cause I’m sure it’s something like how I felt when Klose was handed the armband during the Euro qualifiers and…

  I think I’ve talked too much about Miro; should just stop talking about him ;D

  (Butbutbutbut I can’t … stop!)

  Posted from Singapore

  

• Angela |  August 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am

  
  
  

  Lynn: Never cause that would mean I shouldn’t talk so much about Mark and well, that’s not happening. It happens when you adore a specific player. Don’t feel guilty. I certainly don’t.

  Posted from United States

  

• diana |  August 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am

  
  
  

  ‘It seems that Klinsmann has been reading the Bayern Offside and my many arguments for Mark as Captain.’
  One can only dream. Definitely an extremely happy day for you, Angela. I was like thinking when I read the news - ‘Angela is going to be sooo happy!’.

  Lynn, aww! I actually also felt the same way like you during those Euro qualifiers when Miro was handed the armband.

  Posted from Singapore

  

• Angela |  August 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am

  
  
  

  Diana: It definitely pleases me. Besides the obvious crush, for many reasons stated in this blog already, I think he was the natural choice to take on the leadership role because he already filled it without the armband.

  Posted from United States

  

• Juliet |  August 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

  
  
  

  I think we all knew this was coming. Congrats to MVB — couldn’t imagine a better captain.

  Posted from United States

  

• Angela |  August 8th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

  
  
  

  Juliet - I think MvB was the obvious choice, but a lot of people seemed to think that Klinsmann would go with Lahm. I am glad that he gave the ‘C’ to Mark though.

  Posted from United States

  

• Harry |  August 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am

  
  
  

  Angela:
  I think it wasn’t so likely that Lahm would get the band. In my opinion Mark is a very good schoice, but Philipp would have been a good choice as well (even if not so good as Mark). He always thinks for the team and not for himself. Anyway Happy Ever After with Mark van Bommel

  Posted from Hungary

  

• Harry |  August 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

  
  
  

  Just another question: Michael Ballack played for 4 years (2002-2006) in Bayern München. Who was the Captain during these years? Oliver or Michael? Just because Michael also has a Captain’s personality and I heard that sometimes Ballack saved the whole team when they couldn’t play well somehow.

  Posted from Hungary

  

• Angela |  August 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

  
  
  

  Oliver Kahn. He’d been Bayern’s Captain for the last ten years. Mark is the first foreigner to receive the honor ever. Ballack has previously made a good Captain, but I think he’s losing his luster a little bit.

  Posted from United States

  

• diana |  August 15th, 2008 at 9:53 am

  
  
  

  Angela, good news over van Bommel in the Oranje. He made the final cut to be part of the squad to face Russia in a friendly next Wednesday.

  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=851157.html#van+bommel+handed+dutch+recall

  Posted from Singapore

  

• Angela |  August 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

  
  
  

  I know Diana! Isn’t it exciting? I’m excited

  Posted from United States

  

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