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Marc-André ter Stegen's Path to Germany's No 1 Goalkeeper
Marc-André ter Stegen’s push to finally become Germany’s undisputed No 1 is being managed with extreme care – and Ajax coach Míchel has just made that very clear.
The 34-year-old was left out of Ajax Amsterdam’s league game against Willem II Tilburg on Tuesday evening, with Míchel revealing that his goalkeeper is still nursing a serious problem.
“Marc is recovering from a serious injury,” the coach said, explaining why he turned instead to understudy Maarten Paes. With an international break looming, the decision was calculated rather than reactive.
Míchel called “the current moment favourable” for giving Paes minutes so ter Stegen “can properly recover for the game on Saturday as well as the subsequent international break”. The message: no risks, not now.
The plan stretches beyond Ajax. “Should ter Stegen travel to the national team – which is likely – we will then have time to continue working on his recovery,” Míchel added. Club and country are being stitched into the same schedule.
That schedule matters because Jürgen Klopp is ready to build around him. According to media reports, the new Germany coach is planning with ter Stegen as his future first-choice goalkeeper – the “eternal” crown prince to Manuel Neuer finally in line for the throne.
He already held that status under Klopp’s predecessor Julian Nagelsmann, stepping up after Neuer’s retirement from the national team following Euro 2024, a decision that ultimately proved temporary. Then came the setbacks: several injuries, stop-start rhythm, stalled momentum.
His last international appearance feels distant now – 8 June 2025, a 0–2 Nations League defeat to France in Stuttgart. Since then, Germany have been waiting, and so has he.
If the body holds, the comeback could hardly be scripted better. For Klopp’s debut on the Germany bench, the team travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands in the Nations League on 24 September. For ter Stegen, that would be a return to his club city, a genuine home game in national colours.
Germany’s Upcoming Schedule
- Greece on 27 September
- Serbia on 1 October
- Greece again on 4 October
Four matches, one new era, and a goalkeeper hierarchy to cement.
Klopp will announce his squad on Thursday at 10am, and expectations are already being set. A large group is anticipated, with competition behind ter Stegen sharpening.
Alexander Nübel (Besiktas) and Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich) are viewed as his primary challengers. Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen is also expected to be involved, pushing his way into the conversation.
Two familiar names, though, will not be part of it. Manuel Neuer has now definitively retired from the Germany squad. Previous No 2 Oliver Baumann is also not expected to feature.
The stage is clearing. If ter Stegen’s body finally matches his ambition, Amsterdam could mark the true beginning of his era in goal for Germany, not just another false dawn.
