10 best goalkeeper in Bundesliga history: Manuel Neuer not the GOAT!

When discussing the modern era, Manuel Neuer is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga over the past 15 years. His massive trophy cabinet, spanning from club success to the 2014 World Cup, tells only half the story. 

Neuer is hailed as an idol and a pioneer for a landmark revolution in the goalkeeper’s role. Unlike previous generations whose primary goal was simply to clear the ball as far as possible, Neuer’s technical proficiency with his feet allows him to act as an 11th outfielder. He confidently ventures outside his penalty area to help his teammates bypass the opponent's press. It is no surprise that Neuer remains the preferred choice for a tactical genius like Pep Guardiola. 

However, Spbolivescore must pause the praise here, while Neuer is a global favorite, the flow of Bundesliga history contains "monsters" who were perhaps even more intimidating. From literal "human spiders" with unimaginable reflexes to leaders who commanded their defense like generals, the question remains: who could truly be better than Neuer? Let us find out in the following list of the top 10.

Ranking the 10 best goalkeepers in Bundesliga history

10. Wolfgang Kleff 

Known as "Otto" for his resemblance to a famous comedian, Kleff was a cornerstone of the legendary Borussia Mönchengladbach side. Between 1968 and 1982, he played 272 Bundesliga games, winning 5 league titles (1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1977). 

While he often sat in the shadow of Sepp Maier for the West Germany national team (6 caps), his consistency at Gladbach was unrivaled. After leaving Gladbach, he also played for Hertha BSC and Fortuna Düsseldorf before retiring in 1987 at age 40.

9. Andreas Kopke 

Kopke may lack a vast collection of Bundesliga trophies, but his talent was undeniable. Spending the majority of his career at FC Nürnberg (1986-1994, 1998-2001) and Eintracht Frankfurt, he made 346 Bundesliga appearances. He actually scored 2 Bundesliga goals from the penalty spot. He earned 59 caps for Germany and won the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996. 

8. Hans-Jorg Butt 

Butt redefined what it meant to be a "goalscoring goalkeeper." Across 387 Bundesliga matches for Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bayern Munich (1997–2012), he scored an incredible 26 goals, all from penalties. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern in 2010. Experts often noted that his focus never wavered despite his offensive contributions. He famously kept 14 clean sheets in the Champions League during his career. 

7. Toni Schumacher 

A two-time German Footballer of the Year (1984, 1986), Schumacher was a force of nature for FC Köln. From 1972 to 1987, he made 422 appearances for the club, winning the double in 1978. He held a record of 213 consecutive appearances. Public opinion was often split due to his aggressive style, notably the 1982 World Cup collision with Patrick Battiston. However, peers called him the "ultimate professional." He also played for Schalke, Bayern, and Dortmund.

6. Bodo Illgner 

Replacing Schumacher at Köln, Illgner became a one-club man in Germany before moving to Real Madrid. He kept 63 clean sheets before turning 25, a record at the time. He was the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup final (1990). After winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, he retired in 2001 at age 34.

5. Jens Lehmann 

Lehmann was a fierce competitor who played 394 Bundesliga matches for Schalke, Dortmund, and Stuttgart. He was a master shot-stopper and famously scored a last-minute header for Schalke against Dortmund in 1997. He won the Bundesliga with Dortmund in 2002. Outside Germany, he was an "Invincible" with Arsenal. 

4. Eike Immel 

Breaking through at 17, Immel played 534 Bundesliga matches for Dortmund and Stuttgart (1978-1995). Though he holds the record for most goals conceded (829), this was a byproduct of his incredible longevity. He won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 1992. He was once the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he moved for 2 million marks. 

3. Manuel Neuer 

Since 2006, Neuer has played over 500 Bundesliga matches for Schalke and Bayern. He holds the record for most clean sheets (over 224) and most wins (339). He has won 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles. Guardiola once said, “ Neuer is one of the best players I have ever seen." 

2. Sepp Maier 

"The Cat from Anzing" played his entire career for Bayern Munich, making 473 Bundesliga appearances, all of them consecutive for over a decade. He won 4 Bundesliga titles and 3 European Cups. He earned 95 caps for Germany, winning the 1974 World Cup. He was forced to retire at 35 after a car accident while still at the peak of his powers.

1. Oliver Kahn 

"Der Titan" sits at the summit. With 557 Bundesliga appearances for Karlsruhe and Bayern, he won 8 league titles. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper. Ottmar Hitzfeld once described him as "the personification of the will to win." He retired at Bayern in 2008, aged 38.

10 Bundesliga's greatest goalkeepers:

Oliver Kahn 

Sepp Maier 

Manuel Neuer 

Eike Immel

Jens Lehmann

Bodo Illgner

Toni Schumacher

Hans-Jörg Butt

Andreas Köpke

Wolfgang Kleff

If you were the manager of the German national team and had to choose just 1 legend from the list of the best goalkeeper in Bundesliga history by Spbolivescore.net above, it would likely be one of the hardest decisions of your life. 

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