Overview

• Sepp Maier urged coach Julian Nagelsmann to contact retired captain Manuel Neuer to strengthen the squad through the 2026 World Cup.
• Marc-André ter Stegen will miss several months after a second back operation, compounding his earlier knee injury.
• Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel stepped in during ter Stegen’s previous layoff but Maier questioned their long-term readiness as No. 1.
• Record national player Lothar Matthäus also recommended keeping Neuer’s availability open amid ter Stegen’s uncertain club status.
• Nagelsmann faces a decision between recalling Neuer or entrusting his current deputies before World Cup qualifying begins in September.