"Zack Steffen perfect example of modern goalkeeper" - Lutz Pfannenstiel
United States international Zack Steffen is the "perfect example" of a modern goalkeeper, according to Fortuna Düsseldorf sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel.
Steffen joined Düsseldorf on loan from Manchester City ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, and wasted little time before demonstrating his undoubted quality.
The 24-year-old had a stunning debut, making 10 saves in a 3-1 win over Werder Bremen to take the Bundesliga’s Man of the Matchday honours on the opening weekend.
Pfannenstiel, a goalkeeper in his own playing days, said he was not surprised by the American number one’s heroics.
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"Zack is the perfect example of a modern goalkeeper: very good with both feet, very good in the air, well-developed technically and a very good communicator," he told German sports magazine kicker.
Steffen has admitted that he found it tough during his first stint in Germany, when he spent 18 months with Freiburg from 2015 on, but an impressive spell with MLS side Columbus Crew earned him a move to English Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this summer.
Pfannenstiel revealed that he had already scouted Steffen in his previous job at Hoffenheim, and convinced Fortuna coach Friedhelm Funkel that he would be a good addition. The former Wimbledon keeper also said that ex-Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola – currently the manager of Steffen's parent club City – alerted him to the possibility of bringing him back to the Bundesliga.
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“I knew the guy very well from his time in Freiburg and with the U20 national team – I had already watched him for Hoffenheim,” Pfannenstiel said of Steffen.
“I was at Manchester City and also met some other players there along with Pep Guardiola. Goalkeeping come up in conversation and then I knew that a certain Zack Steffen would be on the market.”
To make absolutely sure he was getting the right type of character, Pfannenstiel flew to the United States to meet Steffen’s parents as well as USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter.
Steffen, meanwhile, has said he spoke to Berhalter and former Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic before making the move to Düsseldorf – which looks set to work out very well for both club and player.
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