Antonia Rüdiger has said he is content with a new and unfamiliar role as substitute in the German national team and admitted that Jonathan Tah is "the new boss" at the back.
Rüdiger was a key centre back for the team for years but the Real Madrid man is now only third choice, with Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck the new starters.
"The push Jona made over the past two years deserves a lot of respect fro me. His last season at Bayern Munich was also outstanding. And yes, he is the new boss," Rüdiger told reporters on Wednesday.
"Every one his his time, now is his time," said Rüdiger, who came on for Tah in Germany's World Cup opening 7-1 over Curacao.
Rüdiger also praised Borussia Dortmund's Schlotterbeck and said he would do his share as a reserve player to ensure success for the group.
"It is not easy as a footballer to be on the subs' bench. But it is something completely different in a national team than at a club. All of us have only one goal. Everyone is important. And it is only good when you can give input from outside," Rüdiger said.
Germany play their second group match on Saturday against Ivory Coast and their final group game against Ecuador on June 20.
