Goalkeeper decided otherwise
This top club once wanted to sign Manuel Neuer
December 28, 2025 – 12:20 p.mReading time: 1 Min.
Manuel Neuer has been FC Bayern’s goalkeeper for over 14 years. A club from England also once wanted to bring him over. But things turned out differently.
Manuel Neuer could have played for a top club other than FC Bayern. In the program “At Broski – The Sport Show”, which was recorded before Christmas, the 39-year-old world champion explained that both 1. FC Köln and FC Arsenal were “strongly interested” in him after his U19 time at FC Schalke 04.
However, Neuer, who has been playing for FC Bayern since 2011, consciously decided against moving abroad – and thus also against moving to Arsenal. In his opinion, it would have been difficult as a youth national goalkeeper in England. “It may be that you can’t really gain a foothold on the island. You have to have a good standing to become number one,” said the keeper.
In addition to his career decisions, Neuer also spoke about the departure of his long-time teammate Thomas Müller, who moved to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the summer. “You can tell he’s missing,” said the goalkeeper, describing the 36-year-old as a liaison player between the young and old professionals. Müller “did a lot with body language, he was able to have a certain vibe with the players because they immediately felt integrated.”
Neuer and Müller sat at a table in the FC Bayern team bus – together with Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka. Müller’s place is now empty.
