Marc-Andre ter Stegen expressed that being chosen as Jurgen Klopp’s primary goalkeeper for Germany is particularly meaningful, especially given his previous injury setbacks.
Germany is set to compete against the Netherlands for their first match with Klopp at the helm this Thursday in the Nations League, followed by matches against Greece (both home and away) and Serbia during this international window.
With Manuel Neuer retiring from international play after Germany’s unexpected World Cup exit at the hands of Paraguay, Klopp had the challenging task of selecting a new first-choice keeper.
Although he also called up Alexander Nubel from Besiktas, Jonas Urbig from Bayern Munich, Noah Atubolu from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Finn Dahmen from Augsburg, Klopp opted for Ter Stegen’s experience.
After facing limited playing time due to injuries, with just 10 total appearances across all competitions in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons for Barcelona and Girona—where he spent part of that time on loan—Ter Stegen is looking forward to his return to international football.
Now that he has started eight consecutive games for his latest loan club, Ajax, he is thrilled to rejoin the national team. “Being back is always special for me,” he said to Sky Sport DE. “When you’ve dealt with a period where things didn’t go as planned and your body wasn’t cooperating, it makes you appreciate this even more.”
“I feel I’ve worked hard to get back here, and I’m excited to meet new teammates as well as some familiar faces. I’m eager to contribute my best for the team.” He added, “It brings a smile to my face; I’m just happy to be fully back and hope to play some successful football.”
Klopp takes on this role after an impressive tenure of 674 matches in both the Bundesliga and Premier League, making him the most experienced manager in Europe’s top leagues to start as Germany’s coach.
Describing Klopp, Ter Stegen remarked, “He is one of a kind, characterized by his joy and deep passion for football. It’s evident to everyone how dedicated he is.”
Klopp is among only three coaches—alongside Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti—to have won league titles in both the Bundesliga and Premier League, renowned for his “heavy metal” style of play at Dortmund and Liverpool.
However, Ter Stegen noted that transitioning to this style will take time for Germany: “There are specific aspects he aims to address, as he has a unique vision for football. We need to grasp that quickly.”
“For now, we will focus on a simpler approach while remaining observant to implement these ideas promptly, emphasizing teamwork in our defense rather than individual efforts.”
Fan Take: This development is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it marks the beginning of a new era under Klopp’s leadership for the German national team, renowned for his dynamic football philosophy. The success of this transition could redefine Germany’s approach to the game and potentially reinvigorate their competitive edge on the international stage.
Source: www.soccernews.com
