German national team coach chooses who will replace Ter Stegen – ‘He will be our number one’ | OneFootball

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has once again found himself at the heart of Germany’s national team debate, despite missing the latest international call-up due to injury.

The 33-year-old shot-stopper, currently sidelined, will not be available for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland, forcing Julian Nagelsmann to make a tough decision in his absence.

Nagelsmann confirmed that Oliver Baumann of Hoffenheim will step in as Germany’s temporary number one, with Alexander Nubel and Finn Dahmen completing the goalkeeping list.

Ter Stegen will be number 1

Interestingly, even while announcing Baumann as the starter, the German coach was keen to stress that Ter Stegen remains central to his plans.

“We’re happy with all the goalkeepers, including Marc-André ter Stegen, and that’s why we chose them, because they’re also good at building up play,” Nagelsmann said.

“Our number one will be Oliver Baumann… He’ll be our number one until Marc hopefully returns safely.”

Nagelsmann has backed Ter Stegen. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The statement underlines what has been clear for some time – Germany’s goalkeeping hierarchy remains in flux until Ter Stegen is back.

The Barcelona star has long lived in the shadow of Manuel Neuer on the international stage, but in recent years, he has increasingly pushed for recognition as the natural successor.

While Baumann has been rewarded for years of consistency in the Bundesliga, Nagelsmann’s words made it evident that the national team is simply waiting for Ter Stegen to regain full fitness.

This also highlights that the national team is not banking on the return of Manuel Neuer from retirement.

The coach’s assurance that the Barcelona captain is still firmly in his plans suggests that once he returns, the debate over Germany’s true number one will ignite again, this time with Ter Stegen expected to take centre stage.

Source: Mundo Deportivo