Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel refutes any “captaincy issue”

Despite so many changes being afoot at Borussia a Dortmund this summer, there have been a few topics of continuity that head coach Nuri Şahin has decided to keep the same from the Edin Terzić era. The main one of the facets is the captaincy of Emre Can. 

Can, sometimes considered to be a little hot-headed and rash in his decision-making, captained Dortmund throughout last season and has earned the trust of Şahin to continue in that role. Under him however, the roles, as is the theme of this transfer window, have shifted a bit. 

Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel was vice captain last season, and held the role admirably, with many calling for the player to be made the club’s captain in the future. Under Şahin’s stewardship however, the new vice captains are Julian Brandt and Nico Schlotterbeck. 

The change hasn’t been made from a perspective of quality or capability; on the contrary, no one could question Kobel’s leadership capabilities since he’s joined Dortmund. The Swiss shot stopper has been exemplary in how he has marshaled Dortmund’s back line, and is always one of the most vocal players on the pitch, be it motivating his teammates or warning them of the impending danger of opposition attacks. 

The issue is one of preference rather than capability, with Şahin preferring to have an outfield player as a captain so that instructions can be relayed with greater ease. To Kobel, it seems to make little difference who wears the armband, with the Swiss international stating that it’s generally a bigger issue for outside sources rather than internally at the club: 

"Nuri Sahin talked to me, explained to me that he would very much like to have a player on the field who wears the armband because he simply wants to reach the captain quickly on the field and wants to exchange ideas with him... For me it was clear from the beginning: If that is his wish, then of course I will fully support him... I will try to always incorporate everything I have into the team anyway and go full throttle... the captain's topic is usually made bigger in the media than it is within the team."

- Gregor Kobel

Kobel’s statement show that it doesn’t necessarily matter whether he has the armband, and that his commitment to the team and leadership quality don't hinge on being physically distinguished in a leadership position. New leaders are indeed necessary though, distinguished or not, especially due to the departure of Mats Hummels and Marco Reus. 

Because of such departures, according to Kobel, it is time for new players to fill that role, and it’ll take more than just the club’s captain and vice captains to do so:

"Whenever two such players [Reus and Hummels] leave, there will be a change because they just had so much experience and such a radiance. We will now try to do this, to lead as best we can and to grow into these roles. The whole team council has to get there."

- Gregor Kobel

The importance of leadership is amplified this season with so much turnover in the squad. New faces due to transfers and younger players becoming more involved in the senior team will need support and direction if they are to settle well, as well as for the team to succeed competitively. 

Kobel, as well as the other more senior players will need to take charge to replace figures like Reus & Hummels, who often played roles of importance off the pitch by making newcomers feel welcome in the team. Reus in particular was often a very big factor in this process, with many players often crediting him as one of the first to reach out to them once they’ve signed. 

The season ahead of Borussia Dortmund will be a very long one. Considering the makeup of the squad, it has the chance to also be a very special one. It will be put to Kobel and his fellow senior teammates to steer this team in the right direction, and help insure the club maintains course towards its goals in the coming year.