Jürgen Klopp's First Germany Squad: The Goalkeeper Dilemma

When Jürgen Klopp steps up on 17 September to announce his first Germany squad, the room will be listening for one thing above all else: the name of his new No. 1.

With Julian Nagelsmann gone and Manuel Neuer now retired for good, the position that once felt untouchable suddenly looks wide open.

For Thomas Helmer, though, the picture is already sharp.

Nübel’s case: form, minutes, momentum

“Looking at it right now: Nübel, who is playing sensationally in Istanbul and simply has match practice, is certainly a candidate,” the former European champion and Bayern defender told Sport1.

Alexander Nübel has done everything a goalkeeper can do to force his way into the conversation. Since leaving Bayern Munich for Besiktas, he has rattled off six clean sheets in his first nine competitive games. New club, new league, same message: he’s playing, and he’s performing.

That counts. A lot.

Yet even with those numbers, Helmer refuses to call the race. He still describes it as a “big question” who will ultimately succeed Neuer as Germany’s long-term first choice.

Life after Neuer

Neuer briefly returned to centre stage for the 2026 World Cup, reclaiming his spot from Oliver Baumann for one last tournament push. That chapter is now closed. The armband and the gloves are up for grabs.

Plenty of pundits have pushed another Bayern name to the front: Jonas Urbig. The young keeper travelled to the World Cup as a training goalkeeper, working alongside Neuer, Baumann and Nübel, but never made the official squad list. Even so, his status as Neuer’s designated successor at club level has fuelled the argument that he should inherit the national shirt as well.

Helmer isn’t buying that – not yet.

“The question is how much playing time he will really get under Vincent Kompany,” he warned. So far, Urbig has only one competitive outing this season, a cup tie against Osnabrück. “Just one cup game against Osnabrück for now – and I don't mean that disrespectfully at all – certainly won't be enough.”

Bayern insist Urbig will see the pitch behind first-choice keeper Neuer. Helmer’s view is blunt: that’s nowhere near sufficient for someone who wants to stand in goal for Germany.

“In the goalkeeping position, you need someone who plays all the time,” he said.

That is the core of the debate. Not talent. Not potential. Minutes.

A door reopens?

While the younger names dominate the headlines, another familiar figure lurks in the background: Marc-André ter Stegen. Long seen as the eternal understudy in the Neuer era, his situation suddenly looks different with a new national coach and a vacancy at the top of the depth chart.

If Klopp values rhythm and regular club football as much as Helmer insists, then the Barcelona goalkeeper, established and constantly active at the highest level, may find the DFB door swinging open again.

On 17 September, Klopp won’t just be picking a goalkeeper. He’ll be choosing a new starting point for the post-Neuer era.