Nagelsmann announcement about new return
“I’m surprised we discuss this every week”
October 13, 2025 – 11:33 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Will Manuel Neuer return to the German national team? After the DFB team’s victory in Northern Ireland, national coach Julian Nagelsmann had clear words.
The German national team won their World Cup qualifier in Northern Ireland. In the 1-0 win on Monday evening in Belfast, the DFB team, like on Friday against Luxembourg (4-0), did not concede a goal. Oliver Baumann also played a major role in this. The TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper made several good saves against a self-sacrificing Northern Irish team.
Nevertheless, the 35-year-old goalkeeper, who represents Germany’s injured number one Marc-André ter Stegen, is currently in focus. Because: In the past few weeks there has been speculation from many quarters about a return of world champion Manuel Neuer to the DFB goal. The Bayern keeper resigned from the national team after the European Championships last year.
After the success in Belfast, Julian Nagelsmann was asked about Baumann and Neuer in an RTL interview. Moderator Florian König shared with the national coach the observation that the topic didn’t seem to affect Baumann’s performance. “No, obviously not,” replied Nagelsmann. “But I think anyone who is human can well imagine that it doesn’t leave them completely indifferent right now.”
Nagelsmann subsequently took up a lance for Baumann. He explained that the national team had not lost any of the last ten games “because we had a bad goalkeeper.” The discussion was not beneficial for anyone, emphasized the 38-year-old coach. “I don’t think so for Manu either, to be honest. For the rest that he needs at Bayern for his undoubtedly good performances.”
As far as he knows, Neuer resigned of his own volition, Nagelsmann made it clear. “And I still always wonder why we discuss this for three hours every week.”
The 39-year-old former DFB captain is undoubtedly having a good season. “But we don’t have a goalkeeping problem at the moment,” Nagelsmann made clear. That could change in the summer, “if a lot of things go badly.” However, the discussion is currently not productive.