Marc-André ter Stegen speaks candidly about the difficult years he spent as Manuel Neuer’s backup. One decision in particular regarding the DFB goalkeeper’s position still weighs on him to this day.
For years, Marc-André ter Stegen had to take a backseat to Manuel Neuer on the German national team. Now, the goalkeeper is speaking with unusual candor about how difficult that role was for him at times. Despite his respect for the Bayern captain, there were decisions that hit him hard personally.
“Did I sometimes have to clench my fist in my pocket? Did I sometimes have to curse under my breath when no one was listening? Absolutely! There were also moments when I thought that maybe I deserved the chance more,” ter Stegen explains in an interview with Sport BILD.
The 2018 World Cup, in particular, has stuck in his memory. Neuer returned after an eight-month injury layoff and was chosen by national team coach Joachim Löw. Ter Stegen, who had previously filled in for him for an extended period, was once again relegated to the bench. “That was the most bitter moment,” he says, looking back. “You can get upset about it all you want.”
Ter Stegen respects Neuer—and enjoys Klopp’s trust
His disappointment does nothing to diminish his professional respect for his longtime rival. Neuer is “probably one of the best goalkeepers of all time,” Ter Stegen emphasizes. He had already paid tribute to Neuer’s importance to German soccer and wished him a successful end to his career.
Even at the 2026 World Cup, ter Stegen was denied the hoped-for opportunity to start as the number one goalkeeper. This time, an injury thwarted his plans. “I really would have given everything to be on the field,” explains the 34-year-old. In his estimation, he needed about a month to be fully ready in time. However, he didn’t want to go into the tournament at only 90 to 95 percent capacity: “In the end, you can’t take that risk.”
Under Jürgen Klopp, ter Stegen now finds himself in a different situation. The national team coach has expressed his confidence in him as the starting goalkeeper. “It feels incredibly good to feel that kind of trust,” says the Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper.
Klopp is sticking to this hierarchy for the upcoming international matches against Serbia and the Netherlands as well. Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig is among the contenders behind him and can continue to prove himself within the national team.
However, ter Stegen doesn’t see his current position as a long-term guarantee. He doesn’t want to think too far ahead to the 2028 European Championship just yet. He’s seen too often how quickly the situation can change: “So many times in my career, I’ve thought: This will happen next season, this will happen at the next tournament. Then you end up with an injury and say, ‘Wow, that wasn’t really part of the plan.’”