Leno confirms that he rejected the DFB’s call: “They told me I wouldn’t get a chance to play.”

Speaking to Germany’s leading sports newspaper, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno confirmed he had turned down a call-up from the DFB.

The current goalkeeping situation with the German national team almost led to 32-year-old Bernd Leno being recalled to the German Nationalmannschaft. This was first reported last week by Germany’s Kicker Magazine, ahead of the confirmation that Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) and Janis Blanch (RB Salzburg) would serve as Bundes coach Julian Nagelsmann’s three goalkeepers during the international October break.

Contacted for comment by German tabloid ‘Sport Bild’, the Fulham professional confirmed he had turned down a call to remain in London with his club team. The nine-time Germany international cited playing time as the reason he chose to stay on the island. For the former Leverkusen man – who has worked in London at Arsenal and Fulham since 2018 – it made no sense to go to Nagelsmann’s camp.

“They told me I was in, but I wasn’t allowed to play,” Leno told the tabloid. That’s why I decided to train in London. Julian knows I’m always there when they need me and when I can really help. But at 32, I’m no longer a newcomer. I have never made any claims on Manuel (Neuer) and Marc (André ter Stegen), but I have always performed.”