Speaking at his very first interview after being called Germany’s top, Marc-André ter Stegen offered his ideas on his brand-new function in the team.

On lastly ending up being Germany’s top, ter Stegen stated: 

“Of course it was a different feeling to arrive here. Apart from three or four positions, the group hasn’t changed that much. I’m looking forward to the new tasks and of course I want to be successful. I’m happy about all the kind words that my colleagues and the coach have said to me. That’s balm for the soul. My aim has always been to be number one. Unfortunately, I haven’t managed that over the last decade. With Manuel Neuer, I had someone in front of me who had a great career and who managed to withstand the pressure. Congratulations again to him for everything he has achieved – with the national team and at club level.”

ter Stegen made his launching for Germany back in 2012 while still in your home town group Borussia Mönchengladbach, ever since he has actually never ever appeared at a significant worldwide competition and has actually just made 40 looks. There have actually likewise been times where ter Stegen has actually remained in much better kind than Manuel Neuer however the latter was constantly picked ahead of him. On these times, the 32-year-old stated:

There are constantly minutes and circumstances where you believe that it won’t exercise. In current years, there have actually constantly been close choices that typically entered Manuel Neuer’s instructions. I believe I managed it expertly, however obviously it was frequently really frustrating. It’s a course that you need to take which you need to accept. There have actually been lots of conversations in the last few years, and I was often disappointed, however I never ever let myself come down, and my colleagues felt that too.

If all goes to strategy, ter Stegen will be Germany’s top for the World Cup in the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico in 2026. On the competition, the keeper stated: 

“No matter what tournament, we want to be successful. The most important task for us is to prepare ourselves to be successful. We saw that at the European Championships and it really got people going. It was a great atmosphere and we want to keep it that way. We want to play a very good role at the 2026 World Cup and be competitive, but we’re still a little while away from that. (laughs)”

However, there is a strong core of keepers waiting in the wings. Oliver Baumann, Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno have actually all been around the Germany first string for a while. Alexander Nübel has likewise just recently got a call-up and waiting in the wings are the similarity Noah Atubolu from Freiburg, Jonas Urbig from 1.FC Köln and even Felix Gebhardt of Jahn Regensburg who are all starting their professions. 

On the competitors, ter Stegen commented: 

“We are in a good position at the moment. We have a lot of good goalkeepers in Germany who can play for a long time. Right now we are spoiled for choice, but we will see in the future. At the moment we don’t need to worry too much about it.”

GGFN | Jack Meenan