DFB's sole figure is engaged in a discussion about goalkeepers.
Despite ongoing discussions: Manuel Neuer remains the first-choice goalkeeper for the German football national team. The brief goalkeeper controversy prior to the home Euro championship has been resolved, with the 38-year-old taking center stage once more.
One can easily picture how Marc-André ter Stegen must feel. On a Friday evening in the basement of Munich's Allianz Arena, a small window opens up to the emotions of the 32-year-old backup goalkeeper. He was one of the first to make his way to the team bus, his expression starkly contrasting with the overall jubilation of the other DFB stars following the successful 5:1 Euro opener against Scotland.
The cause of his melancholy could be any number of reasons, perhaps he was simply preoccupied, but: The tale of ter Stegen is no stranger. In 99 out of 100 teams, the world-class goalkeeper would undoubtedly claim the starting spot in net. The problem is that the German team is the one exception where he is relegated to the role of the number two. Even during this home Euro championship, he will be seated on the bench alongside the other reserve goalkeepers. None of his 40 international matches were played at a major tournament (the Confederations Cup 2017 does not count).
The reason for this unchanging status arrives a little too late for the press conference at the DFB headquarters. Manuel Neuer (international appearances in eight tournaments) scratches his head first and then speaks about how enjoyable it was to watch the other Euro teams after the intense 5:1 opening match against Scotland. With a more relaxed and casual approach, preparations will continue before the match against Hungary on Wednesday.
"Messi in Gloves"
The Euro opener against Scotland could have went smoother for him. Neuer conceded only one own goal from DFB central defender Antonio Rüdiger. Throughout the entire game, he had a mere 15 ball contacts, 90% of his passes were accurate. For a potential goalkeeper controversy, it provided no new insights - neither positively nor negatively.
Discussions about the goalkeeper emerged for the first time in a long while before the home Euro championship: debates about the goalkeeper. Neuer made his surprising return after his serious leg injury. His performances for Bayern Munich and the national team in the season finale raised questions. Although he maintained world-class form, there were some unusual mistakes against Hoffenheim and Ukraine. He also made a mistake against Greece, which led to an unfortunate outcome. Since then, he has been observed with a slight unease.
Neuer himself acknowledges the debate, which is primarily driven from outside, "from the outside". "I haven't read anything," explains the 38-year-old. Instead, he conducts an analysis with the responsible individuals, studies pictures. And they agreed: The trust between the team, trainers and him is still intact.
Regardless, Neuer's performances would have provided enough reasons for a small goalkeeper debate - especially when the second goalkeeper is named ter Stegen. The backup goalkeeper is undisputed at FC Barcelona, earning the nickname "Messi with gloves" there. In 2023, he was named Spain's Footballer of the Year - not the Goalkeeper of the Year, but the Footballer of the Year. His statistical values surpassed those of Manuel Neuer during the previous season. In the league, this means more saved crosses, more saved shots, a better pass success rate.
Statistics hold no weight
In a football world where everything is measured and statistics have even reached the coach's benches, could this not be an argument, or? Interestingly, Neuer does not see it that way. "For me, the images are interesting and not the statistics, because each situation must be evaluated individually," he says. And: "That's why I cannot take the statistics as a benchmark for evaluating a goalkeeper." Even the last ter Stegen argument falls apart.
He reluctantly accepts his role. During the Euro preparations, ter Stegen explained that it was an unpleasant situation. "But the coach has made a decision. I respect and accept it, even if I have a different opinion," ter Stegen said then. Among the goalkeepers, the relationship is good, he continued. "That has nothing to do with Manu, we have the same position. But on a personal level, there's nothing to do with him. We have a good relationship. Even if we are both fighting for the same goal, it doesn't mean I don't like him."
There is no one in the DFB camp who is considering a serious goalkeeper debate in the first place. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann made it clear early on, and national team director Rudi Völler intervened to quell any debate. After all, Neuer has an advantage: his reputation among players and the coaching staff. On the field, one often sees him running to Nagelsmann and discussing with him when the ball is out of play for a while. Even if the captain Ilkay Gündoğan confirms that Neuer's word is still essential, ter Stegen remains nothing more than a hope.
Neuer is now 38 years old, so the question of whether the Euro Championship in Germany is his last tournament is natural. Neuer left the answer open, stating that he would still think about it. At the World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, he would be 40 years old, representing his ninth tournament, and ter Stegen would still be at zero.
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Despite the ongoing discussions about goalkeepers in the German football national team, Manuel Neuer remains the first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming European Football Championship 2024. Meanwhile, Marc-André ter Stegen, the world-class backup goalkeeper for FC Barcelona, faces disappointment as he will be seated on the bench during the tournament, having never played at a major tournament with the German team.
