There is still uncertainty about Manuel Neuer’s state of health – and therefore also about who will be in goal at FC Bayern. The uncertain situation is another major hurdle in Munich’s season planning.
Something like a law of nature is currently crumbling at FC Bayern Munich. An irrefutable certainty, something you could always rely on: Since July 1, 2011, one thing has been clear: FC Bayern Munich has a world-class goalkeeper. At that time, more than twelve years ago, Manuel Neuer moved to the Isar and then nested as a matter of course in the Munich goalkeeper Olympus and from then on greeted from there in the best neighborhood with Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn.
FC Bayern could be sure that the Munich goal was guarded by the best in its field. This certainty is now beginning to falter. After the serious injury that Neuer suffered during a ski tour during the winter break, it is still uncertain when he will return. Originally, FC Bayern’s number one wanted to have fully recovered from the broken leg in early July. But the date has long passed – and the cautious forecasts by coach Thomas Tuchel and the officials that Neuer would only miss the first two games of the season are no longer valid. But what about Neuer? What are his current problems? How long could the keeper be out? And who is on the list as an alternative? BR24Sport answers the most important questions:
Manuel Neuer – what is the current status of rehabilitation
In May it still looked like things were going according to plan. With a few impressive flights, Neuer reported back to Säbenerstraße, made his new boss Thomas Tuchel enthusiastic and gave his supporters the certainty that he would soon be back to his old self. At the beginning of July, Neuer was still self-confident, dismissing reports that he could miss the training camp at Tegernsee with a joke in the realm of fables. But since then the negative reports have been piling up.
First the confirmation that the 37-year-old will not only miss the training camp, but also the start of the season. Then FC Bayern recently announced another “planned procedure” in which a metal plate was removed from Neuer’s lower leg. Neuer himself disappeared. His training sessions have been taking place behind closed doors for a long time. At the moment he can only train in the weight room, soon he should return to the lawn. But he’s still in pain. Ironically, what has always distinguished him is difficult for him: having the ball at your feet. According to media reports, shooting, passing, dribbling is still very painful. Especially if the affected right leg is the supporting leg. The hope is that removing the metal plate will change that again.
How long will Neuer be out?
A start of the season with Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal is out of the question. And the goalkeeper will probably also miss the following games against FC Augsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and the Champions League opener. Currently, the earliest point in time for a comeback seems to be in the game against VfL Bochum (23 September) or in the DFB Cup opener against Preussen Münster (26 September). But that is the most optimistic forecast. There is even speculation as to whether Neuer will not return to the FC Bayern goal until 2024.
So how does FC Bayern plan to replace Neuer?
Those responsible are now under pressure. Despite the uncertain situation surrounding the actual number one, two players were given up in Alexander Nübel (loan to VfB Stuttgart) and Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) who could have made up for a longer absence. Actually, Tuchel had announced at the start of training that he would only agree to a summer transfer once there was clarity about a new return.
Since young goalkeeper Johannes Schenk was also awarded, there is currently only one healthy goalkeeper in the squad of the German champions: Sven Ulreich. Tom Hülsmann, from the second team, was at the training camp. But one thing is clear: Ulreich was not trusted to replace Neuer last season. FC Bayern wants to sign a new keeper, preferably one who also has the potential to eventually succeed the now 37-year-old Neuer. But that’s a difficult profile: On the one hand, at least international class, on the other hand, ready to sit on the bench by January at the latest.
A world champion, a record keeper and a star
And so FC Bayern bites its teeth with this personality on the transfer market: Desired transfer David Raya is about to move to Arsenal. The goalkeeper of FC Sevilla Yassine Bounou, known as “Bono”, is said to be too expensive at around 20 million euros. Robert Sanchez moved to Chelsea.
Currently, Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli (31) – part of Argentina’s world champion squad – and Kepa Arrizabalaga (28), who is threatened with bankruptcy at Chelsea, are the hottest names in the rumor mill. Kepa was once the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at €80m. But in London he could not meet the high expectations and was mostly – even under Tuchel – on the bench. Last season, however, he found his way back between the posts and showed some good performances there. A loan with an option to buy would be likely here.
With David de Gea, a very big name is also traded. The Spaniard joined Manchester United in 2011 but that chapter is now over. At 32, de Gea is without a club – but has gotten used to a high salary in his twelve years in the Premier League. Mike Maignan (AC Milan) and Diogo Costa (FC Porto) are also currently emerging as names. Giorgi Miamardashvili (22), Georgian national goalkeeper from FC Valencia, is probably too expensive and inexperienced to fill this special role at FC Bayern.
Only one year left on the contract – where are Neuer and FCB headed?
FC Bayern is in a tricky situation. Manuel Neuer has a special position in the club. As captain, he is the undisputed leader of the Munich team. But there are increasing doubts as to whether the number one in the Bayern goal can still build on his earlier achievements after this serious injury at the age of 37. In addition, the goalkeeper’s contract expires next summer.
Neuer will not disappear from FC Bayern’s goalkeeping Olympus. But the management team around CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen is still facing a serious decision for the future. How much do you want to rely on Neuer? Do you continue to trust the long-standing number one? Or is it time to really start thinking about a successor and face Neuer with a real competitor?
A difficult task even in a normal transfer period – but with the stalemate around Harry Kane, the ongoing search for six and right-back, the goalkeeper question is only one of the major construction sites. FC Bayern is two days before the first competitive game of the season (Supercup: FC Bayern – RB Leipzig, 12.08, 8.45 p.m., in the live radio report) with an incomplete squad.
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Which: BR24 im Radio
08/10/2023 – 2:54 p.m
