Joshua Kimmich has defended Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the German Football Association (DFB) from Uli Hoeness criticism but insists Manuel Neuer is right to be considered the national team s number one.
Bayern Munich president Hoeness hit out at the federation for a perceived failure to support 2014 World Cup winner Neuer in the debate over Germany s goalkeeper spot.
Neuer s nearest positional rival, Barcelona s Ter Stegen, had expressed frustration with a lack of international opportunities, which prompted a public exchange between the pair.
The Bayern star sought to quell the tension last week and club team-mate Kimmich joined him in smoothing over relations as he sympathised with Ter Stegen.
There was nothing bad about what Marc said, Kimmich told German broadcaster ZDF.
He didn t attack Manuel or anyone else, he just said he was disappointed. I can understand that. I don t know what he was told or promised.
There is no question about who is in goal, Manuel is rightly the number one, although Marc has delivered world-class performances for many years. Healthy competition is a good thing.
: I think I ve played well since my calf injury. I m in good form.
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN)
Neuer regained his place for Germany at last year s World Cup in Russia after missing almost the entire 2017-18 season because of a recurring foot injury.
The 33-year-old has since started each of Die Mannschaft s six games in 2019 and performed well in Bayern s comfortable 4-0 Bundesliga victory over Cologne on Saturday.
I think the DFB and especially our coach, Joachim Low, stuck by Manuel during a difficult phase, Kimmich said.
He was injured for a long time and still stood in goal at the World Cup. From a DFB perspective, Manuel was always the clear number one.
