Nagelsmann sets record straight on possible Germany return for Neuer after ter Stegen injury
| Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images |
With Marc-André ter Stegen ruled out for months following back surgery, calls have emerged for Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to consider bringing 39-year-old Manuel Neuer out of international retirement.
However, Nagelsmann has effectively ended the speculation, insisting there are no plans to recall Neuer.
“In my mind, I know that Marc will come back in December, then play the two matches in March, also in June, and then participate in the World Cup,” Nagelsmann said at the International Coaches Congress in Leipzig.
“He is our number one when he is healthy and the number one at his club. He knows that.
“'Manu' played a very good Club World Cup, but we consciously made the decision (about his international retirement).”
For the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September, Nagelsmann said “there won’t be any surprise,” indicating that the plan is for Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann to fill in for ter Stegen as he has done before.
