Ron-Robert Zieler Player Profile
1June 5, 2012 by joshilan14
Many players who leave Manchester United either decrease in quality as a player, which sees many never fulfil the potential they once showed. However leaving Manchester United was the best decision that goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler has made in his career, with his development being so impressive that he has landed a spot on the Germany team for Euro 2012.
Early career
Zieler joined Manchester United from Cologne in 2005, when he was aged 16. Until 2008, he featured prominently in both the youth and reserve teams of the club, but he was never given a chance to feature in the first-team.
Like many young players struggling for game-time at a big club, Zieler went out on-loan to the-then third division side Northampton Town at the beginning of 2009. He only made two appearances for the Cobblers in a three-month loan, with him only being there to provide cover for their regular stopper Chris Dunn.
The 2009-2010 season saw Zieler back in the reserves at Manchester United and it looked at this point that his career was going nowhere. This saw him decide to leave the Red Devils for new pastures once his contract expired.
Hannover success
After a successful trial period, the goalkeeper signed for Bundesliga outfit Hannover on a two-year deal. He started his career at the club as second-choice behind Florain Fromlowitz; he soon won the goalkeeper position off him after his debut against Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2011. His performances caught the eye of Germany manager Joachim Loew, who called him up to the national team in August 2011.
He continued where he left off the previous season by helping Hannover to prove that there overachievement in the previous season was not a one-off. This saw him given his Germany debut in a friendly against Ukraine: this was not very successful however as he conceded three goals in the first 17 minutes, which saw him become the first German goalkeeper since 1954 to concede three on his debut.
Despite this shocking debut, Zieler’s form for Hannover prompted Loew to take him to Poland and Ukraine as third choice goalkeeper. While first-choice for the national team looks unrealistic due to the presence of Manuel Neuer, his success at Hannover could see him possibly go onto achieve greater things in his club career. Ron-Robert Zieler is just one of many who shows that being unable to make it at Manchester United does not make you unsuccessful. He could be regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson as the one who got away; and with De Gea’s shaky performances at the start of the season, Zieler could have been a better option.
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[...] Player to watch: Since joining from Manchester United in July 2010, Ron-Robert Zieler has gone from strength-to-strength. His steady performances and his outstanding reflexes saw him picked by Germany for their Euro 2012 squad, in which he was third choice. Manchester United might just be regretting releasing the talented twenty-three year old. [...]