Admitting Flick's stance: will Ter Stegen's headache return to Barcelona?

Germany's Marc-André ter Stegen has broken his silence over his future with Barcelona, opening the door to a possible return to the Catalan club following the end of his loan spell at Ajax of the Netherlands, without settling his position on his next move.

At the same time, the goalkeeper revealed there has been no recent communication between himself and Hansi Flick, the team's head coach, in a development that adds further ambiguity to his relationship with the club where he spent 12 years.

Ter Stegen spoke in an interview with the German newspaper "Sport Bild", quoted by the Spanish newspaper Sport, about his ties to Barcelona, saying: "I played at Barcelona for 12 years, and my relationship with the club is close. We are now only in November, so I really cannot determine what will happen in the summer." His contract with the Catalan club runs until June 2028, which keeps a return firmly on the table.

The 34-year-old left every possibility open. His current spell with Ajax has handed him the chance to rebuild his standing, play regularly and force his way back into the national team after a bruising phase at Barcelona. Yet his admission that he has not spoken to Flick lately raises questions about where the pair stand, and whether both sides actually want to work together again next season.

On the German national team, Ter Stegen spoke warmly about his relationship with head coach Jürgen Klopp, who has publicly backed him since taking charge. That support, he said, has been a crucial lift at this stage of his career. "It is absolutely wonderful to feel that they place this trust in me," the goalkeeper said. "And it proves that when I am in full readiness, I can offer a lot to the team."

For all that backing, Ter Stegen does not regard his place in the squad as a guaranteed starting berth at Euro 2028. He treats his international future with caution, especially after the injuries that disrupted his career over recent years and cost him a place at the 2026 World Cup. Reclaiming his spot, he knows, means staying sharp and proving he can compete, with no promises attached.

The goalkeeper also turned to the difficult spell the German national team is enduring. Recent results and performances have fallen short, he admitted, and the calls for sweeping changes and a chance for young players are growing louder by the week.

"We have not recently been through the best of periods with the German national team," he said. "There are many who quickly demand bringing in new players, and giving the opportunity to all the young players. In principle, I see this as a good and correct thing." Fresh blood, he insisted, does not mean casting experience aside. "But difficult times will also come, and then experience will be important," he added, pointing to the major tournaments that demand composure under pressure in tight, complicated moments.

Ter Stegen's situation at Barcelona grew complicated after his knee injury and the arrival of Joan García, who nailed down the first-choice spot under Flick. The German joined Girona on loan in January 2026 but managed only two appearances because of injury, before moving to Ajax last August on loan until June 2027.