Manuel Neuer extends his contract until 2023

Bayern Munich and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer agree on a contract extension until 2023. It is unclear what will happen to goalie Alexander Nübel, who is moving from Schalke to Munich.

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Now they have finally come to an end, the discussions and speculations about the future of Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. On Wednesday, the Bavarians announced in a media release that they had extended the current contract with the 34-year-old goalkeeper by two years – until 2023. After all the roar of the past few weeks that met all the criteria of a no-leather folk theater, this message appears surprising at first glance. The signature is nevertheless consistent.

The extension is surprising because Neuer is said to have entered the negotiation with a maximum claim: a contract for four years (at the end of which he would be 39 years old) and a salary of around 20 million euros.

The fact that Neuer, who is captain of Bavaria, but otherwise not a man of big words, had made such a demand in the room is only understandable in view of the past: Bayern have signed Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nübel free of charge for the coming season.

Moderately amused by Nübel’s commitment

With Nübel, the Bavarians hope to have hired the goalie of the future, as the 23-year-old performed well in his first season in Gelsenkirchen. In order to establish Nübel as Neuer’s successor, he is said to have been assured of missions – a detail that Neuer was only moderately amused with: he was a protagonist and not an extra, Neuer declared publicly at the beginning of the year. A sentence like a guillotine.

Now no goalie likes it when the potential heir is put to his side – especially not when the old one is as cross-fisted as the new one, who after a protracted injury and subsequent form crisis is now again in good conscience as the leading force among Europe’s goalkeepers can watch. “Manuel is the best goalkeeper in the world and our captain,” said CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as a precaution.

But the big captain had to be convinced. In order to communicate “at eye level”, the Bavarians had offered very heavy calibers. As negotiators, they sent the designated CEO Oliver Kahn to the group, formerly a national goalie with 86 international matches (6 fewer than new), who was chosen three times as world goalkeeper (once less than new).

Kahn can be quoted in the Bayern announcement as follows: «I can very well put myself in the situation in which Manuel finds himself. We understood in which direction Manuel thinks in this phase of his career and what is important for him. »

Those who have such an empathist at the negotiating table need not be surprised at the good results. In fact, the Bavarians could be sure that they had sent the right man for a talk in Kahn. He knows situations that Neuer experiences from his own experience.

Kahn was once the undisputed number one in Germany, but then national coach Jürgen Klinsmann opened a competition in 2005 for the position of keepers. Kahn lost his place to Jens Lehmann before the World Cup in Germany.

Neuer does not necessarily have to fear such a fate, he differs too much not only in experience, but also in class and especially in nerve strength from Nübel, the new number two in Bavaria. But Kahn should actually be able to understand that the awkward move of the Bavarian management is an insult to a deserved player like Neuer. There is no question that the agreement reached is a compromise. Two instead of four years speak for Bayern’s arguments – and above all against the fact that Neuer had offers from top clubs.

The wages will be raised significantly

But the compromise should cost Bayern a lot. Although the 20 million mark in terms of annual wages should not be exceeded, the payments are said to have been increased significantly. Neuer, who had publicly complained weeks ago that details of the contract negotiations had been released to the press, explains in the communiqué: «In the weeks of the shutdown as a result of the corona pandemic, I did not want to make a decision because nobody knew whether when and how things will go on with Bundesliga football. » He also emphasized that it was important that he could work with the goalie trainer Toni Tapalovic he was familiar with.

The meaning of this statement is not clear – unless the Neuer-Lager assumed that it is possible that the Bundesliga would have come to a permanent standstill. And the collaboration with Tapalovic has never been publicly questioned.

The conclusion of the contract clarifies one thing above all: No club in all of Europe currently manages business more efficiently than Bayern: they have long-term ties to their coach Hansi Flick, who has a great mutual appreciation with Neuer, as well as the highly talented full-back Alphonso Davies from Canada .

Thomas Müller, the veteran, extended by another two years, a contract extension is also being sought with David Alba and Thiago. So no one should be surprised if the Munich team will soon be presenting Leroy Sané from Manchester City as a new addition. That would be available for 50 million euros, half the amount that Bayern were not willing to pay last year.