FC Barcelona’s summer overhaul under new manager **Hansi Flick** is taking a dramatic turn—this time involving one of the club’s longest-serving and most respected figures: **Marc-André ter Stegen**.
Despite being the team’s undisputed No. 1 for nearly a decade, the German goalkeeper has reportedly been told he **no longer figures into the starting plans** for the 2025/26 season.
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### **The Shock Decision**
According to *Mundo Deportivo*, Flick—alongside Barcelona’s sporting leadership—has informed Ter Stegen that **24-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper Juan García** is expected to take over as the **first-choice shot-stopper** beginning next season.
While García’s €18 million arrival from city rivals Espanyol is not yet finalized, club insiders have described the deal as being “virtually complete.” His impressive displays last season, which earned him the **La Liga Goalkeeper of the Year** award, have convinced Flick that a generational change between the posts is urgently needed.
Flick’s message to Ter Stegen was unambiguous:
> **”If you want to be a starter next season, it won’t be here.”**
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### **Why the Shift?**
Despite captaining the side and maintaining a high save percentage, **Ter Stegen’s form dipped significantly** in key moments during the 2024/25 campaign. Flick and his staff reportedly believe that Barcelona needs a younger, more agile presence in goal—someone who can align with the team’s high-pressing, modern defensive structure.
Polish veteran **Wojciech Szczęsny**, whose contract was recently extended, is expected to serve as the experienced backup to García—leaving **no room** for Ter Stegen in the rotation.
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### **A Painful Dilemma**
The timing could not be worse for Ter Stegen, who remains a candidate for **Germany’s starting role** in the 2026 World Cup. But if he is relegated to the bench at Barcelona, his place in the national team setup could be in serious jeopardy.
The 33-year-old now faces a pivotal career decision:
* **Stay and fight** for a lost starting role in a system that’s moving on, or
* **Leave the club** he has called home for nearly a decade in search of regular minutes elsewhere.
While no official transfer request has been made, sources suggest that **Ter Stegen is seriously considering his options**, with **Bayern Munich**, **Juventus**, and **Saudi clubs** all reportedly monitoring the situation.
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### **End of an Era?**
If Flick’s stance remains unchanged, Ter Stegen’s departure could mark the end of an era at Barcelona. Since joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014, he has amassed over **400 appearances**, won multiple La Liga titles, the Champions League, and etched his name into club history.
But under Hansi Flick, **a new Barcelona is emerging—ruthless, future-focused, and unafraid to make difficult calls**. Ter Stegen might soon become the most high-profile casualty of that vision.
