What will happen to Manuel Neuer after his „scandalous interview“ at FC Bayern? While the Bayern bosses have made it very clear that they will speak very clearly with the 36-year-old, the question inevitably arises as to how Julian Nagelsmann will deal with Neuer’s „frontal attack“. According to current media reports, there could be a camp formation within FCB.
„Manuel Neuer is our captain, our clear number 1,“ Julian Nagelsmann stressed immediately after the signing of Yann Sommer, demonstratively backing the keeper. The 35-year-old has repeatedly made public statements about Neuer in recent weeks. However, these statements were all made before the explosive interview and Neuer’s clear criticism of the sacking of goalkeeper coach Tapalovic.
It is an open secret that Nagelsmann was the driving force behind the exit of the 42-year-old Neuer friend. According to rumors, the two had not had a good relationship for quite some time. The Neuer attacks in the interview with „SZ“ and „The Athletic“ are therefore in fact also a direct attack on Nagelsmann.
Is „exchanging ideas and working professionally“ enough?
Neuer has made it very clear that he accepts but does not understand Tapalovic’s ejection. When asked what influence the recent events will have on his relationship with Nagelsmann, the 36-year-old was very cool: „We have spoken openly, he knows how I feel about it.“ According to his own statements, he would like to continue to „exchange ideas and work together professionally“ with Nagelsmann.
It is questionable whether a purely professional working relationship between captain and head coach will be sufficient to achieve maximum sporting success for the club. The examples of Hansi Flick and Jupp Heynckes have shown in the recent past how important an intact relationship between team and coach is.
Neuer statements become a test of endurance for Bayern
As „Sky“ reporter Florian Plettenberg reports, this relationship is now threatening to break up. According to Plettenberg, there could be a formation of camps within FCB. Accordingly, it will be decisive in the coming weeks whether the players follow Neuer or Nagelsmann.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, meanwhile, has made it clear that Bayern bosses are planning for the long term with Nagelsmann: „We are really happy to have Julian. For us, the collaboration is not a one-year project, but we see in him a coach with whom we plan for years and want to have success. There is hardly another ambitious young coach like him in the world,“ he told BILD am Sonntag.
One thing is clear however: Regardless of which side the players choose, the mere fact that there could be such an internal power struggle between Nagelsmann and Neuer will certainly not have a positive impact on athletic performance.
