Matthäus puts ter Stegen in Jürgen Klopp's first squad
Jürgen Klopp will announce his first squad on Thursday as the new national team coach, with the goalkeeper question especially in focus. Record international Lothar Matthäus puts forward a bold thesis in his Sky column, naming ter Stegen as a safe candidate and emphasizing that, if he is in good form in Amsterdam, he could take over the number one spot in the German goal.
Klopp has not yet published a squad, so the selection of goalkeepers remains speculative. The decision comes shortly before the first friendly against the Netherlands in the Nations League.
Matthäus' Candidates for the Goalkeeper Position
In his column, the record international names four main candidates. Among them is Marc‑Andre ter Stegen of Ajax Amsterdam, who could inherit the legacy of the retired Manuel Neuer. Matthäus also mentions Jonas Urbig of FC Bayern Munich as a long‑term option.
Matthäus wrote: “If he continues to deliver his performances in Amsterdam, he is a candidate for the number one spot in the German goal.” He also emphasized that ter Stegen “will certainly be in the running.”
Additionally, he lists Loris Karius of FC Schalke 04 and Noah Atubolu of Eintracht Frankfurt as possible nominations. In total, seven to eight keepers could be considered for selection, including Alexander Nübel (Besiktas Istanbul), Finn Dahmen (FC Augsburg), Mio Backhaus (SC Freiburg) and Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim).
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Karius and ter Stegen in Focus
Matthäus sees good chances for Karius because he kept outstanding performances last season and was instrumental in Schalke’s promotion. Even after the promotion, for example in the 0‑0 match against FC Bayern Munich, he has demonstrated his class.
The 33‑year‑old Karius played under Klopp at FC Liverpool until 2018, before a mistake in the 2018 Champions League final affected his career. Afterwards, loans to Besiktas Istanbul and Union Berlin followed, before he moved to Schalke in January 2025.
Ter Stegen, now 34, after several years as the backup keeper behind Neuer had never been number one at a major tournament. Bad luck with injuries and a back operation led to a loan to FC Girona, before he moved to Ajax in the summer until the end of the season. In seven appearances he conceded eleven goals.
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Klopp will further refine his first lineup after the test against the Netherlands, before additional Nations League matches against Greece and Serbia take place.