Neuer era begins at Bayern

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will replace Philipp Lahm as Bayern Munich’s captain for next season, the Bundesliga champion’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed.

“Our No 1 is the No 1 (choice) — Manuel Neuer,” Rummenigge told Munich daily TZ.

“He is an established professional, who will take the armband from Philipp Lahm.

“He has developed really well with the national team — not only on but also off the pitch.”

World Cup champion Neuer has captained his country since ex-Bayern teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger made his final international appearance last August.

The 31-year-old Neuer steps in to skipper Bayern after Lahm hung up his boots in May after 22 years with the Bavarian giant.

Neuer has sat out Bayern’s ongoing preseason tour of China and Singapore to recover from foot surgery, but is expected to be back between the sticks when the new Bundesliga season kicks off on Aug 18.

Bayern will be hunting a sixth straight German league title this term.

Having signed for Bayern in 2011, Neuer will become the fourth keeper to captain the side after Oliver Kahn, Raimond Aumann and Sepp Maier.

In Neuer’s absence, striker Thomas Muller is captaining Bayern on its Asia tour.

Carlo Ancelotti’s German champion kicked off the tour in Shanghai on Wednesday night by losing 3-2 to Arsenal on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation.

An added-time header from the Gunners’ Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi canceled out Robert Lewandowski’s early penalty before the Londoners won the spot-kick shootout.