FC Bayern is interested in City’s Stefan Ortega. In Manchester he is considered “possibly the best number 2 in the Premier League” and a “Wonderwall”. He played under the radar in Germany for a long time.
It’s not that long ago that Stefan Ortega was in Munich. For him it was a “holiday”, as he said: “Especially because there are bread rolls for breakfast. That doesn’t exist in England.” His employer Manchester City also had something to celebrate in Munich. In the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League, the “Skyblues” drew 1-1 at FC Bayern in April and were one round ahead after winning 3-0 in the first leg.
Now it looks like Ortega will be back in Munich soon. FC Bayern wants to sign the 30-year-old as a replacement for the still injured captain Manuel Neuer. A loan transaction would be conceivable. As several media reports, the German record champions have already contacted the English Premier League club and Ortega. And he can imagine that very well.
Won the treble with Manchester
Anyone who can’t imagine that is Pep Guardiola. “We don’t want to sell or lend him. We need him here,” said the coach. If you lose Ortega now, you have to look for another goalkeeper on the market. “It’s not easy,” said Guardiola.
Actually, Ortega, whose father is Spanish and whose mother is German, is doing very well in Manchester. Although he is only number two behind first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, he has also been used from time to time in the league and in the Champions League. And in the FA Cup, where he was seeded as “Cup Goalkeeper”. In addition, he won the treble of championship, cup win and Champions League triumph with City last year. But the prospect of being number 1 in Munich is probably more appealing.
“Can be absolutely satisfied”
Ortega has only been in Manchester for a year. He came on a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld, with the club he had just been relegated. “This is a very good deal for City. We sign a goalkeeper who has a lot of experience,” sporting director Txiki Begiristain said at the time. And Ortega said: “It’s a fantastic move for me. To have the chance to be part of this group of players and continue the success of the club is a dream.”
Stefan Ortega is Manchester City’s reserve goalkeeper.
Even as number 2, he has never regretted it. “The way the year went here, I can be absolutely satisfied. Nobody here would give me these games if they weren’t convinced of me,” he said. Overall, he made 14 appearances last year, conceding seven goals and keeping nine clean sheets. His contract on the island runs until 2025.
Under the radar in Germany
In Germany, Ortega played under the radar for many years. That was because he only played in the Bundesliga for two years with Arminia Bielefeld. He moved to the club from East Westphalia in 2007 as a youth from Hessen Kassel. In 2011 he made it into the professional team. In 2014 he moved to TSV 1860 Munich, but returned to Bielefeld after three years. In the 2020/21 season, one of his years in the Bundesliga, he was rated by the “Kicker” with an average score of 2.81 behind the multiple world goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as the second best goalkeeper of the season.
Guardiola raves and raves
Nevertheless, the move to Manchester came as a surprise. “He’s a typical German goalkeeper. He makes incredible handball movements. He’s a really, really good goalkeeper,” enthuses his coach Guardiola: “He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. Extraordinary.” Every day in training, Ortega shows that “the club made a great transfer”. He is outstanding “in all areas: in goal, with his feet and with his hands.” Nevertheless, City Ederson is undisputed as a goalkeeper.
After beating Chelsea in the FA Cup, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher called him “Wonderwall” after a song by the band – which can be translated as “protective wall”, “bulwark” or “magic creature”. And the “Manchester Evening News” promptly named Ortega “possibly the best number 2 in the Premier League”. With Ortega in goal, City won not only against Chelsea in the FA Cup, but also against Arsenal and in the final against Manchester United.
What will become of Neuer?
That’s why Ortega was already an issue for Bayern in January. But then they brought in Yann Sommer as a replacement for Neuer. He’s gone now, just like Alexander Nübel and Johannes Schenk. In Sven Ulreich, Bayern currently only have one experienced and fit goalkeeper in their squad. It is not yet foreseeable that Neuer will return to team training. That’s why they are desperately looking for a goalkeeper in Munich. Chelsea’s Kepa recently joined Real Madrid, while Ajax’s Geronimo Rulli recently injured his shoulder.
“It’s extremely complex,” said coach Thomas Tuchel: “We’re probably looking for something that no other club is looking for. Someone who has what it takes to be number one and can swallow his pride when Manu returns.” It is not certain whether Neuer will actually return between the posts. Ortega probably thinks so too.
