Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has threatened a Bayern boycott of the German national team if Marc-Andre ter Stegen replaces Manuel Neuer as the team’s number one goalkeeper.
According to reports in Germany, via Kicker, Ter Stegen is set to replace Neuer during the friendly against Argentina and Euro 2020 qualifier against Estonia next month.
Sport Bild report that the news hasn’t gone down well with Hoeness, with the club president saying, “We would never accept that.
“Before that happens, we will no longer provide players for the national team.”
Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff told the newspaper that he wasn’t concerned, replying, “No, because a club is obligated to release its players for international duty as per FIFA regulations.“
The issue is likely to have been caused by the public spat between the Bayern, and long term Germany, number and the Barcelona keeper.
Speaking earlier this month about not being able to become the country’s number one the Barca man said, “It is not easy to find an explanation [for not starting] as I am giving the best account of myself in every game to make the decision more difficult. I am nonetheless trying [to become the first-choice goalkeeper], but this trip with the national team has been a tough blow for me.”
In reply Neuer hit back, saying, “I think we are a team and we should do everything we can to perform like one. I don’t know if this will help us as a team.”
Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann then joined in the debate, backing up the Bayern man, saying, “Manuel is better, he is complete. If I lose 4-0 against Liverpool, I can’t really make any claims.”
Finally Ter Stegen hit back at Neuer, saying, “Of course, I have something to say about that. You can’t call for competition and expect the players who don’t play to be happy about it. No one has to say anything about my feelings, that’s my personal opinion. If you look at the last few years, how I have conducted myself, then such statements are inappropriate!“
In March Joachim Low held a press conference to confirm then Bayern trio Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller they would no longer be selected for the national team.
Germany failed to get out of the Group Stages of the World Cup in 2018 and finished bottom of their Nations League group last autumn, now they’re in the midst of a civil war in the team.
sportbible.com
sportbible.com
