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Manuel Neuer: What FC Bayern now has to get used to

Es actually everything was said. Both sides had made their points of view clear, and outside of the Bayern cosmos everyone who felt called to use the weekend to voice their opinion. Manuel Neuer’s criticism of the club’s behavior and the counterattacks of those responsible dominated the headlines around the Bundesliga. The 4: 2 of Munich on Sunday evening in Wolfsburg raised so many questions that the 90 minutes not only seemed to have decided the 19th matchday, but also the Neuer files. At least for now. Then came Lothar Matthäus.

“Manuel Neuer is no longer acceptable as the captain of FC Bayern,” wrote the German record national player in his column on the TV channel “Sky”. A demand without ifs and buts, which the 61-year-old immediately justified: “He skied negligently and is now giving an unauthorized interview in which he attacks the club in the strongest terms. Hadn’t he said a few weeks ago that no one was above the club? And now this.”

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If there is actually someone who hasn’t noticed why Bayern are again toting around as FC Hollywood through the league and cup a month before the Oscars, the plot in short: Neuer, out of action for a long time after his broken leg, had in an interview verbally attacked the club management for separating from his longtime goalkeeping coach, confidante and best man Toni Tapalovic. As a result, his heart was “ripped out”. CEO Oliver Kahn countered with harsh criticism and announced “clear talks”. Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic took the same line. Fellow goalkeepers jumped to the side of the goalkeeper, others into the save. The separation from a previously little-known goalkeeping coach turned into a political issue, which for some was even enough to demand the changing of the guard in the German goal.

Frankfurt first: Markus Krösche, sports director of Eintracht

Frankfurt first: Markus Krösche, sports director of Eintracht

Source: dpa/Christian Kolbert

“These are issues that shouldn’t happen. Ultimately, individuals must not put themselves above the club. No player in the world is allowed to do that,” said Eintracht Frankfurt’s sports director Markus Krösche on “Bild” and answered the question of whether Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp should now be the new number one in goal for the German selection with: “Yes, I would say that . As far as his performances are concerned, he is currently the best German goalkeeper.” Some try to use the excitement for their own purposes as best they can.

Matthäus, Neuer and Schalke 04

“I always think it’s good when there’s a stir about FC Bayern. That means the club and the players are still interesting enough to make big stories. And that’s actually what we want too. But of course we want to dominate the media through sporting things,” said Bayern attacker Thomas Müller a few hours later after the final whistle of the victory in Wolfsburg, with which the Munich team regained the lead in the table from Union Berlin.

Spectacular game, but the interest remained manageable: Thomas Müller's not surprised

Spectacular game, but the interest remained manageable: Thomas Müller’s not surprised

Source: dpa/Axel Heimken

The team really gave everything to focus on the sport. She led 3-0 after 19 minutes at Wolfsburg, who had been unbeaten at home since September 3, but then made things exciting again. Joshua Kimmich clumsily caused an early yellow-red card, and even the applause for Jamal Musiala’s sensational goal to make it 4-1, when he left eight opponents standing like slalom poles, quickly faded away after the final whistle.

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What the Bavarians offered in terms of drama and tricks on the pitch, in the end it was not enough to end the annoying topic. A game as a short breather in the debate. The Munich star group thus degenerates into a group of highly talented break clowns.

After the topics related to the game had been duly worked through, the players quickly had to turn their attention to other questions: What do you think of your goalkeeper’s request to speak? How much does the topic influence the level of performance that will be tested in the coming weeks with the close title fight in the league, DFB Cup quarter-finals and the knockout duels against PSG? The discussions about Neuer, his status and the consequences will continue to accompany Bayern, that much seems certain. At least until his return. Does he then have to give up his captain’s armband? Is his number one status in jeopardy? And how much will the fine be?

Best regards from the hospital: Manuel Neuer with a broken lower leg after his skiing accident

Best regards from the hospital: Manuel Neuer with a broken lower leg after his skiing accident

Source: dpa/—

“It wasn’t even about the game,” said Müller in the middle of the interview on “DAZN” to colleague Leon Goretzka, who had just started his phase-out program on the pitch. The striker, who scored the 1-0 goal on Sunday, is experienced enough to know that almost all questions come under one big bracket: curiosity. Who is where: Team Neuer, or Team Klubführung? “A few things happened, everyone has their own view. But we players don’t let ourselves be influenced there,” said Müller, revealing at best a diversity of opinion.

Lothar Matthäus has clearly stated his. The TV expert can even imagine the goalkeeper leaving Munich completely. “I wonder if Manuel Neuer and Toni Tapalovic will work at another club next season. Of course, a return to FC Schalke 04 would be really romantic. Although he really ripped their hearts out with his move to Munich…”

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Malice that Julian Nagelsmann is not familiar with. The coach had personally initiated the farewell to Tapalovic and also criticized Neuer for his interview. However, the trainer found more balancing words than most of the others and now wishes nothing more than the end of the topic: “I have the right not only to extinguish fires, but also to be a trainer,” Nagelsmann recalled. However, one will only comply with one’s wish if the expected results do not materialize. Then, however, another topic would slide to the top of the agenda: his own future at FC Hollywood.

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