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Good for Bayern, bad for Alexander Nübel: Bayern Munich are reportedly about to extend their contract with captain Manuel Neuer. Bad luck for Nübel.
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Munich – If Julian Nagelsmann has his way, Manuel Neuer will be the backbone of FC Bayern’s goal for a few more years.
Two days before the game at Hertha BSC, the Munich coach was unable to announce the extension of the national goalkeeper’s contract until 2025. But Nagelsmann trusts his captain to continue to act and parry at the highest level in the next three years.
“For me, Manu is still the best goalkeeper because he is very consistent in every aspect of the goalkeeping game,” said 34-year-old Nagelsmann about his 35-year-old team oldie. “Manu is still very lively and very fast, very quick on his feet, also in his actions, how he falls to the ground. I can’t imagine that it will stop abruptly at 36.”
“Very happy” that Neuer is back
After his quarantine, the national team captain has been back in the Munich goal since the 4-0 win against 1. FC Köln. “I don’t know if there are contractual issues that are currently being discussed,” said Nagelsmann. He was just “very happy” that the outstanding goalkeeper was back between the posts. He was the wrong contact person for contract details, said the Bayern coach. “I only live on information from the Internet – and it’s usually not always 100 percent correct.”
The fact is: FC Bayern would like Neuer to end his career with the German series champion. And gladly later than 2023, when the current contract of the world champion goalkeeper ends. Neuer will “maintain the quality for a few more years,” predicted Nagelsmann. At the mature goalkeeper age, Neuer does not want to stop even if he is physically fit in the summer of 2023. Especially since the European Championships are taking place in Germany a year later.
Find a solution for the Ü30 group
“At the moment I can’t imagine the years 2024 and 2025 without this trio,” said Honorary President Uli Hoeneß recently, referring to Neuer, Thomas Müller (32) and world footballer Robert Lewandowski (33). The working papers of the offensive stars also run until 2023.
After the contract extensions for the future with Joshua Kimmich (26 years/contract until 2025), Leon Goretzka (26/2026), who was still injured in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, and Kingsley Coman (25/2027), there were talks with Serge Gnabry (26), Niklas Süle (26) and Corentin Tolisso (27). At the end of the season, the latter two could switch for free. As an alternative, the Swiss Denis Zakaria from Borussia Mönchengladbach is under discussion.
In addition, the association is trying to find a solution with the Ü30 group. FC Bayern should be willing to extend the contract for the veterans Neuer, Lewandowski and Müller, who are still among the best in their field, not just for one year, but for two seasons, as is usually the case.
Effects on Nubel
In the case of Neuer, this would have an impact on Alexander Nübel. The 25-year-old, who came from FC Schalke in 2020 and should be promoted to succeed Neuer, is currently on loan to AS Monaco until June 30, 2023. His contract in Munich is dated June 30, 2025 – the rumored end of the possible new new contract.
“As long as Manu is playing at that level, it’s difficult for everyone in the world to get past him. That’s actually the case for Alex,” said Nagelsmann. However, this situation can only be analyzed in depth once it has occurred. In other words, if the new player who switched from FC Schalke to Munich in 2011 and who Hoeneß now considers “a veteran of the club”, has really extended his contract.
Neuer, who repeatedly did not train with the team this week for reasons of “workload control”, is expected to be back in goal at Hertha BSC on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). Neuer will be “completely normal” in the final training session on Saturday, Nagelsmann assured. That also applies to Tolisso, who also stepped down this week.
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