Favourite to succeed Lahm

German midfield general Bastian Schweinsteiger is favourite to become the World Cup winners’ captain after the surprise international retirement of Philipp Lahm.

Rudi Voller, Germany’s coach when Lahm made his international debut in 2004, said the Bayern defender could have kept going until the next World Cup in Russia in 2018.

Loew has concentrated on joining tributes to Lahm, who only told him of his decision at breakfast on the day after Sunday’s World Cup final.

“Philipp is a model professional who sacrifices everything for (team) success,” added Loew, who made Lahm his skipper just before the 2010 World Cup finals.

Lahm, one of the best defenders of his generation, said through his agent that having won the World Cup, “it’s the right time for me” to leave.

On top of the World Cup, with Bayern Lahm has won five Bundesliga titles, five German Cups, the German Super Cup twice and the Champions League, European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.