Herzogenaurach, Germany, 6 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Marc-André ter Stegen has expressed gratitude that his long ordeal of being German national team second choice goalkeeper has finally ended with the international retirement of Manuel Neuer.

Bayern Munich's Neuer, 38, was first choice at the last eight major tournaments since 2010, and even preferred over ter Stegen at the 2018 World Cup and this year's Euros after long injury lay-offs.

Neuer retired from the national team after the Euros, and coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed on Monday that Barcelona's ter Stegen as "the clear number one" from now on.

His first games are the opening Nations League matches against Hungary on Saturday and in the Netherlands on Tuesday. The next big tournament is the 2026 World Cup.

"Of course it is a different feeling," ter Stegen told reporters on Thursday, naming the new role "balm for the soul."

"I am happy that the time of waiting is now over. Yes, I am happy about the new task, about what is to come. I want to be successful."

Ter Stegen's only tournament as a starter was the 2017 Confederations Cup which Germany won and where 2014 World Cup winner Neuer and others were rested.

The 32-year-old has won 40 caps since a 2012 debut and apart from the Confederations Cup deputized well for Neuer during his injury lay-offs. But he admitted that made it even harder to accept being demoted again once Neuer returned, especially at this year's home Euros.

"To be honest there were always these moments whe you say: Wow, that was another blow. The decision mostly went in Manu's favour. But I dealt with it in a professional way," ter Stegen said.

However, ter Stegen still has plenty of praise for Neuer, after also being among the first to congratulate him when Neuer announced his international retirement.

"Unfortunately, I had a goalkeeper in front of me who always managed to jump ahead. Congratulations to him on what he has achieved in the national team," ter Stegen said.

 Photo: X