'Should have left him at home' - Manuel Neuer slammed for shaky Germany performances as legendary goalkeeper says Bayern star should not play at Euro 2024

In a column for German publication Kicker, Stein didn't hold back in his criticism of Neuer and the decision from coach Julian Nagelsmann to select the Bayern Munich veteran for the tournament this summer.

Neuer's form has been patchy in recent years and he was culpable for the goal that Greece scored against Germany in a warm-up friendly last week, spilling a shot into the patch of a forward. He also got away with a late gaffe in the preceding 0-0 draw with Ukraine when a slack pass near the centre circle didn't result in a goal due to an offside flag. Germany additionally have Marc-Andre ter Stegen and uncapped 34-year-old Oliver Baumann in the squad, but Alexander Nubel was left out.

"If you take a Manuel Neuer with you, you have to let him play. But he no longer justifies it in sporting terms," Stein said.

"With a heavy heart, but with common sense, he should have been left at home - after this shaky preparation! At this European Championship, there will hardly be an opposing striker who is afraid of running alone towards the German goal. A goalkeeper over 30 also needs the luck to avoid injuries. Manuel was not that lucky. For a long time, he lacked the normal training and game rhythm that maintains confidence and security in his own processes in goal. You can see that in his performance now."

Stein played a handful of times for West Germany in the 1980s and was a back-up in the squad that reached the 1986 World Cup final. But he is most famous as Hamburg's starting goalkeeper when the club won the European Cup in 1983.

Germany are just days away from opening Euro 2024 as hosts against Scotland in Munich on June 14. With a poor record in major tournaments in recent years, the pressure is on to get off to a good start.