When Ter Stegen's ultimatum changed everything at Barça a decade ago
A look back at the pivotal moment when Marc-André ter Stegen nearly left Barcelona in 2016, demanding to be first-choice goalkeeper over Claudio Bravo.
As the German goalkeeper prepares to depart Barcelona after a decade between the sticks, we look back at the career-defining gamble that almost saw him leave much earlier.
The ultimatum that changed everything
As Marc-André ter Stegen prepares to leave Barcelona for Girona on loan in the coming days, it’s worth remembering this isn’t the first time the German shot-stopper has had one foot out the door at Camp Nou.
Back in 2016, barely two years into his Barcelona career, Ter Stegen laid down a proper ultimatum to the club that would ultimately shape the next decade of his career. It was a massive gamble that could’ve gone Pete Tong, but instead cemented his legacy as Barça’s number one.
The goalkeeper conundrum
The story begins with Barcelona’s search for a successor to the legendary Víctor Valdés. Then-sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta took a punt on a relatively unknown German keeper from Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, the club hedged their bets by also signing the experienced Claudio Bravo from Real Sociedad.
During Luis Enrique’s first season (2014-15), a job-sharing arrangement was established:
- Bravo played in La Liga
- Ter Stegen featured in Champions League and Copa del Rey
Initially, this worked a treat as Barcelona won both major competitions. But by the following campaign, the German was growing restless with his limited role.
The breaking point
The situation reached boiling point during the 2015 Club World Cup when Luis Enrique selected Bravo instead of Ter Stegen. The German was absolutely gutted and decided enough was enough.
His agent had already had words with the club that summer, but in January 2016, following the Club World Cup snub, they delivered the ultimatum: make Ter Stegen first-choice or he walks.
Pep comes calling
Complicating matters further, Pep Guardiola was keen to bring Ter Stegen to Manchester City. The German later revealed: “Pep came to Barcelona, we met at a friend’s house. He explained his ideas… the plan they had at City seemed very interesting.”
With Ter Stegen seriously considering the move, Luis Enrique intervened, telling the goalkeeper he would instruct the club not to accept any departure “under any circumstances.”
The gamble pays off
Ultimately, Barcelona made their choice. With two keepers wanting to be undisputed number one, they sold Bravo to Manchester City and backed Ter Stegen for the future.
It was a watershed moment that transformed the German from a cup goalkeeper to Barcelona’s undisputed number one for the next eight years – a position he held until his impending departure to Girona.