Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno has made nine appearances for Germany since making his debut in 2016.
The 32-year-old had Manuel Neuer and Marc-André ter Stegen ahead of him. The Bayern Munich star retired from international football in August, while the Barcelona stopper is on the sidelines due to a serious injury.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann wanted to include the Fulham player in his squad for this month’s fixtures. However, Leno declined the request as he wasn’t prepared to be a backup. The former Arsenal man revealed this last Tuesday.
The German football association’s sporting director, Rudi Völler, has now addressed Leno’s ‘surprising’ decision during a chat with Bild‘s Welt TV.
“The only thing that Leno didn’t really understand is that he [Nagelsmann] had already given him a perspective,” he said.
“Maybe not for these two international matches. He clearly communicated to him that he would not be used. But in the medium term, yes. I knew that from Julian when I spoke to him.
“Due to the loss of Ter Stegen, who will probably be out for the entire season, I believe that he would have had his chance. He tried to explain that to him.”
Bild explain Leno wanted assurance from Nagelsmann that he would get minutes at least during November’s international break. The manager and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg weren’t able to promise this.
Leno’s decision not to be part of the national team squad could have consequences. The director has admitted it won’t be easy for him to return.
“The decision has now been made. The door is not completely closed. But it won’t be that easy to get in either,” Völler explained.
