Admitting Flick's stance: will Ter Stegen's headache return to Barcelona?
Goal | 11.11.2026 07:27
Germany's Marc-Andre ter Stegen has broken his silence about his future with Barcelona, opening the door to a possible return to the Catalan club after the end of his loan spell at Ajax of the Netherlands, without settling his stance on his next move.
The goalkeeper also revealed that there has been no recent contact between him and team manager Hansi Flick, a development that adds further mystery to his relationship with the club where he spent 12 years.
Speaking in an interview with the German newspaper "Sport Bild", relayed by the Spanish newspaper Sport, Ter Stegen reflected on his attachment to Barcelona: "I played at Barcelona for 12 years, and my relationship with it is close. We are now only in November, so I cannot really determine what will happen in the summer." His contract with the Catalan club runs until June 2028, so a return remains on the table.
The 34-year-old left every door open. His current spell with Ajax has handed him the chance to rebuild his presence, play regularly and force his way back into the national team after a difficult phase at Barcelona. His admission that he hasn't spoken to Flick lately raises questions, though, about the state of the relationship and whether both sides want to pick things up again next season.
Klopp's confidence gives him a fresh boost
On the German national team front, Ter Stegen spoke warmly about his relationship with manager Jürgen Klopp, who has publicly backed him since taking charge. That support, he feels, provides an important morale boost at this stage. "It is truly wonderful to feel that they place this confidence in me," the goalkeeper said. "And this proves that when I am in full readiness, I can offer a great deal to the team."
For all that backing, Ter Stegen doesn't believe his current standing guarantees him a starting place at Euro 2028. He treats his international future cautiously, wary after the injuries that scarred his career in recent years and cost him a place at the 2026 World Cup. Reclaiming his spot, he knows, means staying ready and proving he can still compete, with no guarantees handed to him.
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He also addressed the difficult phase gripping the German national team, admitting the recent results and performances have fallen short, with calls for sweeping changes and a chance for young players growing louder by the day.
"We have not recently been through the best of periods with the German national team," he said. "There are many who are quickly demanding the involvement of new players, and giving a chance to all the young players. In principle, I see this as a good and correct thing." Renewing the blood, he stressed, doesn't mean casting experienced players aside: "But difficult times will also come, and then experience will be important." That matters most in the major tournaments, where pressure and complicated situations demand composure.
Ter Stegen's situation at Barcelona grew complicated after the knee injury and the arrival of Joan García, who established himself as first-choice goalkeeper under Flick. The German joined Girona on loan in January 2026 but managed only two matches because of the injury, before moving to Ajax last August on loan until June 2027.
