Langer played in five Ryder Cups Profile: Langer's Ryder record Gallery: Langer's Cup pedigree

The 45-year-old beat Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle to the top job after a Ryder Cup playing career stretching back to 1981.

In his 10th Ryder Cup last year, Langer was a bedrock of Sam Torrance's victorious team against Curtis Strange's US side at The Belfry.

But poor form since swayed the American-based German towards applying for the captaincy role at Oakland Hills in Michigan next year.

"Putting myself forward as captain was not an easy decision because somewhere deep down I might have the chance to make the team," said Langer.

"We need the best 12 players and I feel I am still capable of being one of those.

"On the other hand I felt I realistically only had two chances to be captain, next year and then the matches in Ireland in 2006. Now I am captain I am thrilled and excited."

Langer named Ryder Cup captain

Langer has yet to name his vice-captains and insisted the door was still wide open.

"I don't know who will be vice-captain, or if there will be more than one. I haven't wanted to get ahead of myself," he said.

"Now I am captain I will think about it but nobody, whether it is Sandy Lyle or whoever, is yet ruled in or ruled out."

Langer was also uncertain as to how he would arrange his schedule to keep an eye on the in-form European golfers over the course of the next 12 months.

"Will I play more in Europe now I am captain? It's difficult to say yet. I presently play my required 11 events and I will do that next year obviously," he said.