Captaincy debate untimely: German manager

Erasmia (South Africa) (DPA)- German team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Tuesday the debate about the German captaincy between Philipp Lahm and Michael Ballack was untimely and unnecessary in the build-up to the World Cup football semi-final showdown with Spain.

"The timing is not so fortunate," Bierhoff told a press conference prior to Germany's departure Tuesday morning for Durban.

"Any discussion is unnecessary ... In the end, this is an issue that cannot be addressed this week. Now we have to focus on completing the final two games successfully. Everything else comes thereafter and in the end is a decision of the coach."

But Bierhoff did add: "It has been discussed in the team council: Michael Ballack is still the captain - and Philipp is now our World Cup captain."

Media reports Tuesday in Germany spoke of a "power struggle" between Lahm and the injured Ballack. Lahm was awarded the armband prior to the World Cup training camp, following Ballack's ankle injury.

The debate broke out when Lahm said in a number of interviews Monday that  would like to remain Germany captain beyond the World Cup.

"Of course I don't want to give up the captain's armband again," Lahm was quoted as telling the Munich-based daily tz. "I will not volunteer to give it up. But that decision is with the coach."

Asked by the tabloid Bild whether the German team still needed the 97-time capped Ballack, Lahm said: "I am not the one who should answer the question with a yes or a no."

Ballack left the German World Cup team in South Africa and flew home Monday amid suggestions that relations with some of his teammates were less than idyllic.

Team doctors said Ballack, who had come to support the team, would be better off continuing recuperation in Europe.

But there were reports of a power struggle within the team and suggestions that Germany were better off without the 33-year-old.

Germany is due to meet Spain in Durban on Wednesday evening for a berth in the World Cup final.