Marc-André ter Stegen’s career has been partly influenced by his coinciding with Manuel Neuer. The Barcelona goalkeeper has never hidden his goal of becoming Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, and being a substitute for years has caused him frustration. That is why Ter Stegen is now experiencing a crucial moment in his career.
Neuer’s injury, a fractured tibia suffered while skiing, has allowed Ter Stegen to establish himself as the starting goalkeeper for his national team. It has been more than eight months since Neuer’s injury, and a lot has changed in the German national team. Firstly, there is a new manager: Nagelsmann has revitalized the team and left his mark with some decisive actions.
One of these decisions was to appoint Gündogan as captain, a situation that directly affects Neuer, who was one of the team’s key figures and had been captain since Lahm retired from international football. However, the important question is that Nagelsmann has already made it clear that this is a long-term decision: Gündo is the captain.
According to ‘Bild’, this decision compromises Neuer’s future in the national team. The German newspaper even recalls the tensions between the coach and the goalkeeper when they worked together at Bayern Munich, which resulted in the dismissal of the goalkeeper coach. This situation raises the question of whether Neuer will return to the national team and brings to mind the case of Kahn.
“In the 2006 World Cup held in Germany, Kahn sat on the bench behind Jens Lehmann. Will football history repeat itself? Neuer now knows that while he can decide for himself when he will return to the goal at Bayern, he first has to convince Nagelsmann with great performances at the club.” This situation favors Ter Stegen, and his career would have a before and after if Neuer were to leave the national team.
Ter Stegen has long been touted as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and this potential change in the German national team could be a turning point for him. Being the first-choice goalkeeper for Germany would not only fulfill his personal ambition but also solidify his status as a top-tier goalkeeper.
However, it is important to note that Neuer is still a world-class goalkeeper and has proven himself time and time again. His experience and leadership on the field are invaluable, and it would be premature to count him out completely. The competition between Ter Stegen and Neuer could potentially push both goalkeepers to reach new heights and benefit the German national team as a whole.
Ultimately, the decision regarding Neuer’s future in the national team lies in the hands of Nagelsmann. If the young manager sees Ter Stegen as the long-term solution and believes that Neuer’s time has come to an end, it could mark a significant shift in German football. On the other hand, if Neuer can prove his worth and convince Nagelsmann with his performances, he may continue to don the national team jersey for years to come.
The decision regarding Ter Stegen’s career rests on the outcome of the situation with Neuer in the German national team. Ter Stegen has the opportunity to establish himself as the first-choice goalkeeper and leave a lasting impact on the team. However, the final verdict lies in the hands of Nagelsmann, who will have to weigh the performances and potential of both goalkeepers. Only time will tell how this situation unfolds and what it means for the careers of Ter Stegen and Neuer.
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