Klopp Offers No Euro 2028 Guarantee to Germany No.1 Ter Stegen

Marc-André ter Stegen will begin Germany’s post-Manuel Neuer era as the interim first-choice goalkeeper, with Jürgen Klopp declining to offer any assurance that the role will remain his through Euro 2028.

Klopp’s new Germany side is due to open its next phase with a Nations League meeting against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Neuer’s international retirement has created the vacancy, and ter Stegen has been selected to fill it for the immediate programme.

Quick facts

• Ter Stegen has been named Germany’s number one on an interim basis.
• Germany face the Netherlands in Amsterdam in the Nations League.
• Jonas Urbig has been tipped as a future Germany starter by Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany.
• Alex Nübel’s spell at Besiktas has put him back into contention.
• Germany’s next European Championship target is Euro 2028.

The decision gives ter Stegen recognition after years as Neuer’s principal understudy, but it also leaves Germany’s long-term succession open. Andreas Köpke, who spent almost two decades working with the national-team goalkeepers, believes that approach is appropriate in a position with several credible candidates.

Köpke’s view is that a goalkeeper should not be handed an extended guarantee in advance. Ter Stegen could remain in place for the 2028 finals if his level stays high, but Germany would also be able to make a later change and hand the position to Urbig or another contender after that tournament.

Urbig is attracting particular attention at Bayern Munich. Kompany has made a strong prediction about the young keeper, saying anyone who doubts he will eventually become Germany’s number one is making a major error.

There is a longstanding pattern of Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper taking over for Germany, although Köpke believes it is too soon to determine when that may happen with Urbig. His international prospects will depend partly on his club workload, with a season of 25 appearances offering a different case from one featuring only 15 matches.

Köpke has been impressed by Urbig’s ability to maintain his standard despite irregular game time. He sees elements of Neuer in the Bayern goalkeeper’s proactive style and distribution with his feet, but places even greater value on the player’s readiness after long periods out of the side.

For Köpke, Urbig’s capacity to return without needing a lengthy run of matches is unusual for a young goalkeeper. He compared that quality with Neuer’s proven ability to resume at a high level after a break and said Urbig has shown similarly reliable composure when called upon.

Nübel remains another option after his move to Besiktas revived his standing. Köpke said the goalkeeper is currently well regarded in Istanbul, while adding that sustained consistency will decide whether he can force his way into the international picture.

The opening created by Neuer’s retirement also arrives late for some experienced goalkeepers. Köpke described Bernd Leno and Kevin Trapp as outstanding players whose international opportunities were restricted by being active during Neuer’s reign.

Ter Stegen now has the first opportunity to make the shirt his own, but the competition behind him is growing. Köpke’s assessment is that the landscape can shift quickly over two years, making Klopp’s decision to appoint a present starter without committing to a Euro 2028 incumbent the sensible route.