Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness has warned Germany FA against picking Barcelona’s goal keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen over his club’s first choice Manuel Neuer.
Uli threatened to stop his star players from featuring at subsequent Germany fixtures if Spain based goalie got used over Bayern Munich first choice.
The 27-year-old voiced his grievances after he was forced to sit on the bench as Germany lost 4-2 to the Netherlands and beat Northen Ireland 2-0 in Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures earlier this month.
With his frustrations boiling over upon his return to Camp Nou, Ter Stegen claimed that he has “tried everything” to break into Low’s side, with Neuer criticising his fellow countryman for speaking out on the issue .
Ter Stegen had made a strong case for a spot in Joachim Low’s starting line-up at international level with his performances for Barcelona in recent weeks.
A back and forth between the two players in the media has since followed, but Hoeness has completely rejected the notion that the Bayern No.1 could soon be disposed on the international stage and even threatened a boycott.
The Bayern president told Sport Bild : “We would never accept that [Ter Stegen replacing Neuer as No.1]. [If Bayern are informed of the change] before it happens, we won’t send any players to the national team anymore.”
The German publication then asked Die Mannschaft technical director Oliver Bierhoff if he was concerned by Hoeness’s comments, to which he responded: “No. And according to FIFA rules, a club is obliged to send their players to the national team anyway.”
Ter Stegen has been in inspired form for Barcelona so far this season, most notably shutting Borussia Dortmund out in a tense 0-0 draw at Westfalenstadion in the Champions League last week.
The Blaugrana goalkeeper is widely considered to be one of the best in the business, but he has only managed to claim 22 caps since making his Germany debut in 2012.
Neuer, meanwhile, continues to enjoy Low’s full confidence at international level, despite an inconsistent year at Bayern.
However, the Germany boss has been unafraid to wield the axe with underperforming stars in the past, with the likes of Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels having been axed and not considered for future selection.
Ter Stegen’s next opportunity to stake his claim will come when Barca take in a trip to Getafe on Saturday, while Neuer will be back in action with Bayern for a Bundesliga showdown at Paderborn.
