Football Stefan Ortega
The fact that he turned down Schalke was probably his greatest luck
As of: 12:25 p.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
Stefan Ortega is currently number one at Manchester City
What: Action Images via Reuters
In 2020, Stefan Ortega played in the second division for Arminia Bielefeld. The 31-year-old then had to make complicated decisions and, looking back, did everything right. At Manchester City, coach Guardiola relies entirely on the goalkeeper.
The amenities for players at Manchester City are exceptional. Five employees are employed by the club in the so-called “Player Department”, just to deal with players’ private matters. For example, that the player’s wife gets a shuttle to the stadium on game day. Or that a table in the restaurant is reserved for the players in the evening. It was a new world for Stefan Ortega (31) when he moved from Bundesliga relegated Arminia Bielefeld to the reigning triple winner in 2022. The question is: how long will he continue to enjoy this luxury?
The goalkeeper is currently in particular focus in England because City’s regular goalkeeper Ederson (30) was injured. The Brazilian is at risk of being out for another two weeks with a thigh injury. Normally the agreement is that Ortega plays the games in the FA Cup – and a few individual games in the league or even the Champions League. Now he is in goal at least in the all-important league game against league leaders Arsenal FC (Sunday, 5:30 p.m.). Third-placed City are just one point behind their rivals.
Can also do it with his foot: Stefan Ortega in a duel with Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott
What: AFP/PAUL ELLIS
Ederson will also be a crucial factor for Ortega next summer. The starting goalkeeper’s contract runs until 2026, Ortega’s until 2025. Recently there were rumors that Ederson could follow the call of money from Saudi Arabia, in which case Ortega would probably stay at City. Coach Pep Guardiola (53) recently told him in a one-on-one conversation that it was very unusual to actually have two “number ones” in the squad. And that he would fully rely on Ortega if Ederson left the club. In that case, according to Guardiola, the shirt number would also change. From 18 to 1.
Ortega built a house in Hamburg
However, if Ederson stays, Ortega could consider a move after this season. He bought a house in Hamburg and wants to feel at home there. The Bundesliga? Absolutely an option for the Hesse native. Recently there were rumors that VfB Stuttgart would come knocking if Bayern loanee Alexander Nübel (27) couldn’t be kept beyond the season. But we can hear from Stuttgart: We have other plans.
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One thing is clear to Ortega: If he stays in England, he would like to move up in the salary rankings. There have already been discussions with the bosses about a salary increase, but these have so far been unsuccessful. Ortega will earn a total of around seven million euros in his first two years at City – including title bonuses. 3.5 million per season. The extreme counterexample: Striker Erling Haaland (23) earns up to 50 million euros annually.
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The fact that Ortega enjoys such a high reputation among Guardiola is also thanks to goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor (53), who worked with him on his game. And ordered that Ortega had to stand with his legs wider apart in order to be more flexible when jumping.
Then Schalke brought in Frank Kramer as coach
Ortega’s fairytale career could have taken other turns: in 2020 he was still playing in the second division with Bielefeld. When he wanted to leave Arminia in 2022, he had an offer from Schalke 04 that was ready to be signed. Annual basic salary: 1.2 million euros. The then sports director Rouven Schröder (48) would probably have improved it to 1.4 million euros.
The Royal Blues then hired Frank Kramer (51), who had previously trained Ortega in Bielefeld, as their new coach. Ortega canceled the club, which has now sunk into the depths of the second division – and flew to England to FC Brentford. He had actually already reached an agreement with the club, then City asked. Ortega was initially reluctant to fly to Manchester because he was getting married a few days later. He was persuaded. Shortly afterwards, City’s “Player Department” contacted him to ask if he needed help finding an apartment.
The text was researched for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.