Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann has handed the captain's armband to Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.

Van Bommel becomes the first foreign player to be named captain in the history of the German league and cup winners.

"Mark van Bommel is predestined for this task," Klinsmann said Friday.

"He is multilingual and can communicate well with all of the team."

Van Bommel succeeds retired goalkeeper Oliver Kahn as captain and will lead the team out in Sunday's first-round German Cup match at Rot-Weiss Erfurt, Klinsmann's first competitive match in charge since taking over from Ottmar Hitzfeld.

He is Bayern's 14th captain since the team began playing in the Bundesliga in 1965. His deputies will be Argentina defender Martin Demichelis and Brazilian defender Lucio.