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London - Jose Maria Olazabal is widely expected to be appointed Europe's captain for the 2012 Ryder Cup team on Tuesday.
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The 44-year-old Spaniard, who played in seven Ryder Cups and was vice-captain for the past two matches, is the favourite to succeed Colin Montgomerie as captain when the European Tour's tournament committee meets in Abu Dhabi.
"If I'm chosen, I'd have no hesitation taking the captaincy," Olazabal told The Times newspaper on Monday.
Europe reclaimed the Ryder Cup from the United States by winning 14-13 at Celtic Manor, Wales, in October. The two teams will meet in September 2012 in Medinah, near Chicago.
"Playing in Chicago will make things quite difficult," Olazabal said. "The crowds there are very loud. We will be playing on foreign soil and they (the U.S.) will prepare the course to their benefit."
Olazabal, a two-time Masters champion, is the unanimous choice among Europe's leading players despite concerns about his fitness. Olazabal has struggled with chronic back problems in recent years, limiting his appearances on tour to just one event in 2010.
An essential requirement of the European Tour is that a captain plays a full tournament schedule in the year of a Ryder Cup to stay close to potential members of the team.
As well as being one of Europe's most popular players over the years, Olazabal has also been one of the team's most successful.
Olazabal has an impressive Ryder Cup record, winning 18 and halving five of his 31 matches. He has been on the winning side three times, in 1987, '97 and 2006. He was also a member of the team that retained the trophy in 1989 with a 14-14 draw against the U.S. at The Belfry.
Olazabal was Nick Faldo's vice-captain when the Americans won in Valhalla in 2008. He was a late addition to Montgomerie's staff last year.
Montgomerie, who announced after the win at Celtic Manor that he would be stepping down as captain, said at the time that Olazabal would be "everybody's choice" to take over.
George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said in November that "just about every player on the tour ... would love to see him as the captain."
