Ter Stegen opens up on Germany’s long-running goalkeeping battle with Neuer

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has admitted he was frustrated by his limited opportunities for Germany during his rivalry with Manuel Neuer, but accepts the national team’s coaches were entitled to keep selecting the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.

The Barcelona goalkeeper, currently on loan at Ajax Amsterdam, said there were periods when he believed he deserved more chances, although he maintained his respect for Neuer and those who made the decisions.

Speaking to German newspaper Sport Bild, ter Stegen was asked about competing for one position with a goalkeeper he regards as one of the greatest in football history.

“The truth is that Manuel Neuer is not just a great goalkeeper. Let’s not deceive ourselves – he is probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time,” ter Stegen said.

“He also had a great deal of respect within the national team, and he deserved that.”

Neuer’s career was also affected by injuries, something ter Stegen knows personally. The Barcelona player added: “But injuries held him back too, and who knows better than me, unfortunately, what that means?

“Nevertheless, I believe a certain level of competition helps the goalkeeper who is playing to improve. That is how it was between us.”

Ter Stegen acknowledged that he would have preferred to be Germany’s first choice, but said the decision ultimately belonged to the coaches.

“Of course, the question remains: would I have preferred to be the one playing? Absolutely,” he said. “But the coaches who worked with us in the national team chose Manuel. You have to respect that, and I have to accept it. That is simply part of football.”

He also conceded that he did not always hide his disappointment.

“Were there times when I had to suppress my anger and keep my frustration to myself? Did I sometimes swear quietly when nobody could hear me? Absolutely,” ter Stegen said.

“There were also moments when I felt I might have deserved a bigger opportunity.”

‘The bitterest’ moment

The most painful episode came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when Neuer returned to Germany’s squad after spending about eight months out with a metatarsal fracture and undergoing surgery.

Although Neuer had not played enough competitive football before the tournament, Joachim Low restored him as Germany’s starting goalkeeper after he appeared in a friendly against Austria in June 2018.

Ter Stegen described that decision as the most difficult moment of his career.

“That was the bitterest moment for me, but I do not want to go back to discussing it,” he said. “In the end, the coach makes the decision. You can be as angry as you like, but it will not change anything.”

Neuer’s injury had occurred in September 2017, and ter Stegen took over in goal during his absence. His performances led him to believe he had a realistic chance of starting at the World Cup.

Instead, Neuer played all three of Germany’s group-stage matches, while ter Stegen remained on the bench. Germany were eliminated in the first round, the first time they had suffered that fate since 1938.