Andi Ulmer's successor

Surprise: This is the new Bulls captain!

Alexander Schlager, Mads Bidstrup, Nicolas Capaldo and Janis Blaswich (from left).(Bild: FC Red Bull Salzburg/Heiko Mandl)

The decision has been made: Red Bull Salzburg's neo-head coach Pepijn "Pep" Lijnders has appointed a new team captain. He succeeds club legend and Bullen record player Andreas Ulmer. The Dutch coach knew how to surprise, as the new man has only just set up camp in Salzburg ...

Over the past few weeks, Pep Lijnders and his coaching staff have given a lot of thought to who should represent the team as captain on the pitch in future.

In preparation, it was Amar Dedic who wore the captain's armband when he was on the pitch. Samson Baidoo, Mads Bidstrup and Lucas Gourna-Douath also wore the armband at times.

Blaswich: Salzburg captain without a competitive match
In future, someone else will wear them: the Dutch coach has decided on Janis Blaswich as team captain. This comes as a surprise, as the German has only just been signed from RB Leipzig and has yet to play a competitive match for the team from Mozart's city. Lijnder's reasoning: "From the very first moment, he gave the impression that he can handle the responsibility of captain - not only in good times, but also when things get a little more difficult."

I want a group of players to set a good example. That's why we've formed a leadership group together with Amar Dedic and Alex Schlager, who will be the vice-captains.

Salzburgs Trainer Pep Lijnders

Bild: Andreas Tröster

The Dutchman is relying on routine in his decision. At 33, Blaswich is by far the oldest player - ahead of Alexander Schlager (28), who will probably have to make do with the reserve role for good. However, the Salzburg native is part of the five-man leadership group and, like Dedic, is vice-captain. Argentinian Nicolas Capaldo and Swiss Bryan Okoh are also part of the quintet. 

Blaswich succeeds Andreas Ulmer. The 38-year-old left the club in the summer after fifteen and a half years.