Klopp's Germany Goalkeeper Choice: Neuer Still Calls the Shots

Manuel Neuer, 40, announced his retirement from the German national team on August 21 following the squad's early exit at the World Cup. Yet despite stepping away from international football, the Bayern Munich veteran is still shaping who will wear the goalkeeper's jersey for new head coach Juergen Klopp — indirectly, through the club form he produces for Bayern.

The Urbig Problem

As long as Neuer remains Bayern's undisputed first choice, Jonas Urbig — Neuer's backup at the club and at 23 the most age-appropriate candidate — barely gets the chance to demonstrate his ability. Without regular Bayern appearances, Klopp faces a difficult question: can he justify calling up Urbig for his first Nations League squad, which he will announce on September 17 for games against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia?

The Main Candidates

Oliver Baumann, 36, of Hoffenheim, has served as the squad's patient backup for years and has 13 international caps. He showed loyalty even after being overlooked for Neuer at the World Cup. But Baumann would be 38 at the next European Championship and 40 at the 2030 World Cup — scarcely a profile for the sustainable rebuild Klopp was hired to deliver.

Marc-André ter Stegen is the most technically suited alternative. Two years younger than Baumann, he is currently on loan at Ajax Amsterdam from Barcelona following injuries and a legal dispute with the Spanish club. Recovering form in the Eredivisie and Champions League has lifted his stock. Germany's record cap holder Lothar Matthäus wrote in his Sky column: If ter Stegen continues to perform in Amsterdam, he is a candidate for the number one position.

Alexander Nübel, who moved from VfB Stuttgart to Besiktas Istanbul this summer, featured as third keeper at the World Cup but has slipped out of the domestic spotlight according to former Germany keeper Toni Schumacher, who told Bild: Playing week after week in your own country and delighting fans with your saves has a positive effect.

The wildcard is Loris Karius, 31, at Bundesliga promoted side FC Schalke 04 since January 2025. Karius was Klopp's number one at Liverpool but made two decisive errors in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, and was dropped immediately afterwards. His strong Schalke form has put him back in the conversation. Klopp's squad announcement on September 17 will show which goalkeeper combination he trusts for his opening Nations League matches.