Edmond Tapsoba has been appointed captain of Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Carles Martínez making one of his first big leadership calls before the new season starts. Tapsoba replaces Robert Andrich, while Patrik Schick has been named vice-captain. The new captain will wear the armband for the first time at SV Wehen in the first round of the DFB Pokal on Saturday.
Martínez confirmed the decision had only just been made. Speaking to bundesliga.com, he said: "We made the decision this week, and I spoke to the team about it. Eddy and Patrik are two players who have been at the club for many years. Eddy connects well with everybody - with the rest of the team, the fans and with me."
That last point feels central to the call. Coaches usually want a captain who can carry authority in the dressing room, but Martínez also pointed to Tapsoba's relationship with supporters and staff. For a manager starting a new cycle, that kind of internal credibility matters more than simply picking the loudest voice.
Tapsoba's standing inside the squad
Tapsoba is not a symbolic choice. He joined Leverkusen in 2020 and has already made 270 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals along the way. That is a serious body of work at one club, and it gives Martínez a captain who knows the dressing room and does not need time to grow into the role.
Schick's appointment as vice-captain also fits the same line of thinking. Martínez told bundesliga.com that both players have been at the club for many years, so this is less about a surprise promotion and more about rewarding established figures in the group.
Martínez made that explicit with his second comment on the decision. "I think he deserves this, and I am very happy for him."
The endorsement is straightforward, but the club context matters too. Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season with 59 points, so this is not a side making a ceremonial captaincy switch from a position of complete comfort. There is a reset element here, even if Martínez is leaning on continuity through a player who has been around for years.
Recent form before the armband handover
The captaincy is not coming off the back of one standout week. Tapsoba's recent ratings suggest a player who has been broadly reliable across a mixed run. He posted a 7.0 in his latest league outing against Hamburger SV, followed by a 7.2 against RB Leipzig.
His strongest recent display in this run was a 7.9 against 1. FC Köln. There was also a 6.9 in the DFB Pokal against Bayern München and a 6.3 at VfB Stuttgart, which is the outlier in an otherwise solid set of performances.
Those numbers do not need over-selling. They point to steadiness, selection trust and a player already carrying responsibility before the armband was handed over. For a centre-back, that is usually a better base for captaincy than a brief spell of headline-grabbing form.
The next dates for Leverkusen
Saturday's cup tie at SV Wehen will be the first time Tapsoba leads Leverkusen onto the pitch as captain. A week later, Leverkusen open their Bundesliga campaign away to SV Elversberg.
So Martínez has made his decision early, and the club will move straight into competitive games with Tapsoba as the face of that leadership change. Saturday is when it becomes visible.
FAQ
Why has Edmond Tapsoba been made Bayer Leverkusen captain?
Carles Martínez said the decision was made this week and explained that Tapsoba connects well with the rest of the team, the fans and the coaching staff. The new Leverkusen coach also said Tapsoba deserves the role, which points to the captaincy being based on leadership and standing inside the club.
Who did Edmond Tapsoba replace as Bayer Leverkusen captain?
Tapsoba has replaced Robert Andrich as Bayer Leverkusen captain ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Martínez also named Patrik Schick as vice-captain, making it one of his first major leadership decisions before the new season starts.
When will Edmond Tapsoba wear the Bayer Leverkusen armband for the first time?
Tapsoba is due to wear the armband for the first time when Bayer Leverkusen visit SV Wehen in the first round of the DFB Pokal on Saturday. Leverkusen then open their Bundesliga campaign a week later away to SV Elversberg.
How long has Edmond Tapsoba been at Bayer Leverkusen?
Tapsoba joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 and has already built a substantial record at the club. He has made 270 appearances in all competitions and scored 13 goals, which helps explain why the new coach sees him as a credible captain.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
