Marc-Andre ter Stegen has spoken about his long spell as Manuel Neuer’s deputy with Germany and described how he has now taken over as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper under Jurgen Klopp.
A decade of waiting and frustration
Ter Stegen has admitted to feeling immense frustration during his decade spent in the shadow of Neuer for the German national team. For over ten years, the hierarchy of Germany’s goalkeeping department remained virtually untouched.
Despite consistent excellence at club level, ter Stegen found himself in a battle he could never quite win against Neuer for the Germany goalkeeping position. He was often viewed as the natural successor to Neuer but was forced to wait indefinitely.
Ter Stegen said the situation with Neuer frequently led to private moments of anger and an internal struggle of supporting his rival while wanting his spot. He confessed: "Did I have to make a fist in my pocket sometimes? Did I have to swear sometimes without anyone listening? Certainly! There were also moments when I thought that I might have deserved the chance more," he confessed to Sport Bild, as quoted by Sky Germany.
World Cup heartbreak and Germany return
Ter Stegen suffered the heartbreak of missing the 2026 World Cup. He had anticipated that he would finally lead the German team from the back at the tournament, but a lack of match fitness prevented this.
He admitted he was not physically ready to compete at the highest level after his injury struggles before the 2026 World Cup. Ter Stegen reflected: "Before the tournament, I had the feeling for a long time that now it was finally time. I would have really given everything to be on the pitch. You can't take that risk in the end – partly for health reasons, but also out of respect for your teammates."
Ter Stegen only returned to the German national team for Klopp’s debut in September, in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. That 1-1 draw against the Netherlands was his first international appearance since mid-2025.
Becoming Germany’s number one under Klopp
Ter Stegen is now an Ajax goalkeeper who has secured the number one shirt for the German national team under new boss Klopp. Manuel Neuer’s injury problems have opened the door for him to become Germany’s number-one goalkeeper.
He has officially been handed the keys to Germany’s goalkeeping role under Klopp. Ter Stegen explained: "It feels extremely good to feel such trust placed in me. It shows me that when I am fit, I am an added value for the team." He said this trust is being placed in him by the national team’s coaching staff.
Respect for Neuer and the value of competition
Ter Stegen has praised Neuer, calling him "probably one of the best goalkeepers of all time." He said Neuer had great standing in the German national team and that this was rightly so.
Ter Stegen stated that he believes a certain level of competition pushes the goalkeeper who plays forward and that this was how it was between him and Neuer. He said: "He also had a great standing in the national team – and rightly so. Nevertheless, I believe that a certain level of competition pushes the goalkeeper who then plays forward. That's how it was with us."
