“I don’t play and say to myself: ‘This is my last match’, even if it’s perhaps the last time I step on the pitch of a stadium. But it looks like I’m going to retire. I would probably have stopped in 85% of cases (at the end of last season, editor’s note), but it’s simply a pleasure to play in this team, with this technical staff. We still have the option to play all the titles. We are at the top of our game collectively. This is why this team, this squad and the structure that we have at the club are part of the 15% for which I said to myself: I absolutely must continue. It’s simply a pleasure”announced Manuel Neuer last July. The 40-year-old German goalkeeper thus suggested that he was going to play the last season of his career.
Legend of the position and of German football, Manuel Neuer has already said goodbye to the selection after the 2026 World Cup. A disappointing competition where he was not spared from criticism. A situation which has been growing in recent years for the former Schalke 04 whose previous year was already marred by numerous errors. Disappointing this weekend against Augsburg (2-2), the German goalkeeper was notably guilty of an error six seconds into the game. This allowed Robin Fellhauer to score the fastest goal in the history of the Bundesliga. The 40-year-old doorman has notably suffered criticism from the German press. Bild writing in particular this: “An old boxer is only one fight away from becoming a clown.”
Bayern Munich backs Manuel Neuer
Despite this, Bayern Munich have no intention of letting go of soldier Manuel Neuer. “Manu made a mistake. This has certainly happened to him once or twice during his twenty-year professional career. Therefore, for us, there is absolutely no doubt regarding Manu. The idea is clear. We have been implementing it for almost a year and a half, two years: Manu is our number one and will remain so. As for the future, we will see”declared sports director Max Eberl this Monday in comments collected by Sky Germany. Besides, the plan could be to use it this Tuesday against Viking Stavanger.
While Jonas Urbig was initially scheduled to start against the Norwegian club in the Champions League, Vincent Kompany could opt for Manuel Neuer so that he does not remain in this disappointing performance against Augsburg. For the moment, Manuel Neuer has played six matches, four Bundesliga matches, one Champions League match and the German Super Cup. Jonas Urbig, who also started against Serbia (2-0) and Greece (0-0) with the German selection, played against Osnabrück (4-1) in the German Cup and Elversberg (2-1) in the Bundesliga. A competition where Manuel Neuer retains the role of number one and this is starting to be contested.
Jonas Urbig claimed in goal
Jonas Urbig’s performances have been interesting this season and when he had his chance in previous years, he proved that he had the shoulders to take over after Manuel Neuer. Moreover, the German club seems to be leaving with the desire that it becomes number one next season and that an experienced goalkeeper like Bernd Leno (Fulham) or Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim) arrives as an understudy to support him. From then on, some specialists even hope to see him take Manuel Neuer’s place during the season. “Urbig was superb in both games. His way of playing, his body language and his ease in controlling the ball, all of this reminds us of the young Manuel Neuer.notably saluted Lothar Matthaüs, the Bavarian legend.
The consultant of Sky Sports Germany continued: “I think he will get a lot of playing time. Urbig has everything to become the number one goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the national team. He is truly fantastic, he is learning from Neuer and will eventually replace him. Whether it’s this season or next, it will depend on Neuer’s performance.” Former glory of Dortmund and Tottenham, Steffen Freund also agreed: “we rightly protect Manuel Neuer for his exploits, and we all know that he can put in another outstanding performance against Leipzig (Saturday October 17), but: this is Manuel’s last year, and after that, Urbig must be ready. In my opinion this needs to change during the season, because then it will be too late. He has proven in all competitions that he can meet the demands. If it doesn’t work with Urbig, Neuer will still be there.” Contested, the Manuel Neuer monument is clearly threatened…
