Mark-Andre ter Stegen has admitted he was frustrated during his long battle with Manuel Neuer for Germany’s number-one goalkeeper position, particularly after being left out at the 2018 World Cup.
The Barcelona goalkeeper, currently on loan at Ajax Amsterdam, said there were periods when he believed he deserved more opportunities for the national team. However, he also made clear that he respected the decisions of Germany’s coaches and held Neuer in the highest regard.
Speaking to German newspaper Sport Bild, ter Stegen was asked about competing with one of the world’s leading goalkeepers for a single place in the team.
“The truth is that Manuel Neuer is not just a great goalkeeper,” said ter Stegen. “Let’s not kid ourselves, he is probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He also had enormous respect within the national team, and he deserved that.”
Neuer’s career was also affected by injuries, something ter Stegen knows well.
“But injuries also held him back, and who knows better than me, unfortunately, what that means?” he added. “Even so, 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 accepted that the final decision belonged to the coaching staff.
“Of course, the question remains: would I have preferred to be the goalkeeper who played? Absolutely,” he said. “But the coaches who worked with us for the national team chose Manuel. You have to respect that, and I have to accept it. That is simply part of football.”
The 2018 World Cup decision
Ter Stegen also conceded that he did not always hide his anger at being overlooked.
“Were there times when I had to suppress my anger and keep my frustration to myself? Did I sometimes swear quietly when no one could hear me? Of course,” he said.
“There were also moments when I felt I might have deserved a bigger opportunity.”
Asked specifically about the 2018 World Cup in Russia, ter Stegen described that episode as the most painful of his career. Neuer had returned to the Germany squad after an absence of about eight months caused by injury and was selected as the starter despite having played too few competitive matches before the tournament.
“That was the most painful moment for me, but I do not want to go back to discussing it,” said ter Stegen. “In the end, the coach makes the decision. You can be as angry as you like, but it will not change anything.”
Neuer had suffered a serious foot injury in September 2017, breaking a metatarsal and undergoing surgery. During his absence, ter Stegen took over in goal for Germany and produced strong performances, leading him to believe he had a realistic chance of starting at the World Cup.
Germany manager Joachim Low nevertheless restored Neuer to the starting line-up after he played in a friendly against Austria in June 2018.
Neuer started all three of Germany’s group-stage matches, while ter Stegen remained on the bench. Germany were eliminated in the first round for the first time since 1938.
