‘‘I’ve always said that I’d like to be captain once I don’t think I can play myself into the team,’’ stated Langer.

‘‘I’m getting to that stage now. I’m going to be 47 in two years’ time and I think it’s unlikely I would make the side - and certainly not when I’m 49.

‘‘So I’m not sure whether it’s 2004 or some other year, but I would love to do it.’’

Langer had originally hoped that he might be captain of the first-ever Ryder Cup in Germany, but Europe’s Ryder Cup Committee decided last year that after Ireland in 2006 the next two home matches would be in Wales and Scotland.

The earliest the Germans could play hosts therefore is 2018 - and Langer would be 61.

Faldo has made no secret of his desire to lead the team at Oakland Hills in Detroit in 2004, but with a decision expected soon after September’s match Langer knows he needs to give the matter some thought.

‘‘I’ve not done so yet, but I will and I’ll find out the process,’’ added the highly-respected player, a member of the tour’s tournament committee.

Torrance has made it plain that, just like his predecessors Mark James and Seve Ballesteros, his term of office ends after just one match.

It was due to be last September, of course, but the terrorist attacks in America led to a 12-month postponement.

Before Ballesteros Bernard Gallacher was captain for three and before him Tony Jacklin for four.

Langer earned himself a 10th cap last season - he won twice and was joint third in the Open - and at 23rd in the world now few people would be prepared to totally rule out the chances of him being good enough to make the side one more time.

At the start of the year that fact alone would have made Faldo the front-runner, but the 44-year-old, whose last appearance in the match was 1997, has had a return to form as well.

Ian Woosnam, vice-captain to Torrance at The Belfry, has presumably been ear-marked for Celtic Manor in 2010, although he will be 52.

Similarly, Colin Montgomerie looks a natural for Gleneagles four years later. He’ll be 51.

Langer was speaking at the K Club near Dublin, where the Smurfit European Open starts tomorrow and where the Americans will visit in four years’ time for the first match on Irish soil.

There is a debate on the European tour at the moment about whether Europe should have an Irish captain then - Des Smyth would be favourite.

Langer admits he was surprised by the Ryder Cup Committee decision last year to keep the Ryder Cup in the British Isles for the next three home matches.

Continental golfers were first included in the match in the 1979. It took 18 years for them to stage the match - at Valderrama, with Ballesteros the natural captain - and it will be another 21 before they do it again.