Who will replace Manuel Neuer as Germany's next number one?
As Jürgen Klopp begins his tenure as Germany head coach, one of his first challenges is finding Manuel Neuer's successor and deciding who will take over the gloves.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the answer to that question seemed relatively clear. Oliver Baumann had been viewed as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper for months and provided a steady presence throughout qualifying. However, Neuer's decision to reverse his international retirement ahead of the tournament once again complicated the situation, leaving the goalkeeping hierarchy uncertain.
Fortunately for Germany, a wealth of goalkeeping talent remains available, with several contenders ready to make the leap and take over as the national team's next number one.
Oliver Baumann
Club: Hoffenheim
Age: 36
International appearances: 13
The Hoffenheim stopper would seemingly be the natural successor to Neuer, having already occupied the starting role before the veteran's return. Yet with Klopp now in charge, Germany’s goalkeeping hierarchy could be reshaped, as the new coach weighs experience against the potential of a younger option.
Experience, however, is certainly something that the 36-year-old has in abundance. Baumann has made 523 Bundesliga appearances and has also featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. In his 13 international appearances, he has conceded just 11 goals and kept seven clean sheets.
Marc-André ter Stegen
Club: Barcelona
Age: 34
International appearances: 44
Something of a forgotten man of late after suffering a string of serious injuries in the last two seasons, ter Stegen is now Germany's most experienced goalkeeper at international level. In fact, in many other eras he could easily have over 100 caps to his name.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach shot-stopper has scaled the upper echelons of European football for almost his entire career, winning seven Spanish titles and a Champions League in the process, along with many other trophies. Should the 34-year-old regain his fitness and form at Barcelona or elsewhere, he may be given another chance with the national team.
Jonas Urbig
Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 22
International appearances: 0
Neuer’s protégé Urbig has been developing at a steady rate over the last couple of years, first finding his feet at Cologne before moving to Bayern. The 22-year-old has now made 22 Bundesliga appearances, including 14 in the most recent campaign. An impressive six clean sheets gave Bayern fans optimism that he can fill the void once Neuer finally brings his illustrious career to an end.
During the World Cup, Urbig was once again given the chance to shadow his mentor as he travelled with the Germany squad to the US to gain valuable experience of international tournament football.
Alexander Nübel
Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 29
International appearances: 3
Nübel has now moved on from Bayern, joining Beşiktaş after spending the previous five years away from the club on loan. The 29-year-old enjoyed a successful spell at VfB Stuttgart over the last three seasons, establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga's most reliable goalkeepers, but ultimately opted for a new challenge rather than returning to a crowded Bayern goalkeeping hierarchy.
During his time at Stuttgart, Nübel kept 38 clean sheets, including 11 in the Bundesliga during his final campaign. He was also part of Germany’s World Cup squad this summer, although he did not make an appearance.
Noah Atubolu
Club: Freiburg
Age: 24
International appearances: 0
Atubolu has been Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper since the 2023/24 season and has improved on a yearly basis, becoming an integral part of a team that reached the Europa League final last season.
The 24-year-old holds the club record for most minutes without conceding - an impressive run of 609 during the 2024/25 campaign. He has also established himself as a penalty-saving king, having become the first Bundesliga goalkeeper to save five spot-kicks in a row last season.
Mio Backhaus
Club: Freiburg
Age: 22
International appearances: 0
Atubolu is set to have a new rival for his number one spot at Freiburg in 22-year-old Backhaus, who has just completed his move to the southwest from Werder Bremen. Backhaus only became Bremen’s first-choice goalkeeper this past season, but he put in some impressive displays for a struggling side, keeping five clean sheets in 32 Bundesliga games.
Backhaus, who also holds Japanese citizenship, is currently Germany's first-choice custodian at U21 level, making five appearances for Antonio Di Salvo's team since making his debut in September last year.
Finn Dahmen
Club: Augsburg
Age: 28
International appearances: 0
Dahmen is another goalkeeper who has been on the fringes of the Germany team in the last year, having been called up multiple times but yet to make an appearance. The 28-year-old secured regular first-team football at club level when he moved to Augsburg ahead of the 2023/24 season, and his reputation has only grown since.
His match-winning performance against Bayer Leverkusen in April earned Dahmen particular acclaim, as he helped Augsburg to all three points despite facing a staggering 36 shots.
Dennis Seimen
Club: VfB Stuttgart
Age: 20
International appearances: 0
Although Seimen remains a long way off the national team at the moment, Stuttgart’s talented young goalkeeper is regarded as a huge prospect. He spent last season on loan at Bundesliga 2 side Paderborn, where he earned promotion to the top flight, and also has four U21 appearances to his name.
With Nübel leaving Stuttgart, he is hoping to be the club's new number one at just 20 years of age.
