The future of Manuel Neuer at FC Bayern is still open. Will there be a double solution in Munich’s goal?
On SPORT1’s „Doppelpass“ program, Stefan Effenberg brought up the possibility of a double rotation between Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig – and made people sit up and take notice
While the main topic of discussion recently has been whether Neuer will continue or end his career in the summer, Effenberg is assuming a different scenario. The former Bayern captain firmly believes that the 39-year-old will stay on for another year, but will significantly reduce his playing time. „I believe that Manuel Neuer will stay on for another year,“ said Effenberg, explaining that the seasons could be split more evenly in future
Specifically, he held out the prospect that Urbig will be used much more often than he has been so far. „I also believe that he will hand over more games to Urbig, that he will not only have the competition four or five times a year, but perhaps ten or 15 times,“ explained Effenberg. It is precisely in this phase that it could become clear whether the 22-year-old has what it takes to be Munich’s number one in the long term. „During this time, it will become clear whether he has the quality to be in goal in Munich in the future.“
Magath: „FC Bayern has done it right“
Effenberg is thus outlining a model that was previously rather unusual at FC Bayern: no clear break, but rather a gradual transition between legend and successor. Felix Magath recently also indicated that this approach is definitely desired internally. The former Bayern coach praised Munich for deliberately bringing in a younger goalkeeper alongside Neuer. „FC Bayern did the right thing by bringing in a second younger goalkeeper alongside Manuel Neuer. Jonas Urbig is developing together with Manuel Neuer,“ said Magath
Especially in view of the fact that Neuer is valued within the club for his professional handling of rotations and breaks, the scenario of shared responsibility does not seem unrealistic. Urbig collects playing time, Neuer remains present – and FC Bayern gains time to clarify the goalkeeping issue without pressure.