The future of Manuel Neuer at FC Bayern remains one of the most discussed topics surrounding the record champions. The 39-year-old’s contract expires in the summer – and it is still unclear whether the goalkeeping legend will end his career or hang on for another year. On the Sky90 programme, experts discussed the Bayern captain’s situation in depth
In particular, Neuer’s injury history is increasingly raising questions, with the 2014 world champion repeatedly having to take longer breaks in recent years
For record international Lothar Matthäus, the goalkeeper’s physical condition is a decisive factor. „It’s not just the two torn muscle fibres in the last three weeks, but his medical record over the last four or five years,“ Matthäus emphasizes. In addition to the serious skiing accident, there have been other injuries that have left their mark
In the past twelve months alone, Neuer has suffered four torn muscle fibres – most recently in the 4-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. According to Sky, the Bayern captain will miss at least the Champions League match at Atalanta Bergamo and the Bundesliga top match against Bayer Leverkusen
Job sharing with Urbig as a solution?
Despite the increasing injury problems, Neuer’s sporting quality is beyond question for Matthäus. „When he’s fit, when he’s healthy, he’s Germany’s number one in terms of quality,“ said the former world footballer
The crucial question, however, is how often the goalkeeper will be able to play at the highest level in the future
Sky expert Julia Simic came up with an interesting idea: she could imagine a job-sharing model between Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig. „I don’t think that’s such a bad idea from the club’s point of view,“ explained Simic. If Neuer is no longer able to play every game, Urbig could get more playing time and at the same time be carefully built up
The 22-year-old has already deputized for Neuer several times this season and will also be in goal for the upcoming games due to his current injury
Matthäus also emphasized that the relationship between the two goalkeepers is much more relaxed than in previous constellations. „It’s different than with Alexander Nübel five years ago,“ explained the 64-year-old. Urbig has never made any public claims and has deliberately kept himself in the background
Decision in the coming weeks
However, Matthäus did not want to give the Bayern captain a clear recommendation. Ultimately, Neuer will have to decide for himself how to proceed. „He knows his body. He knows what he wants,“ explained the former Bayern player. The results of the current season could also have an influence on the decision
Should FC Bayern actually win the treble in the end, this would possibly be the perfect time for Neuer to end his extraordinary career. Whether this happens – or whether the world-class goalkeeper hangs on for another year – is likely to be decided in the coming weeks.