The debate over the goalkeeper position at FC Bayern continues to gain momentum. Following Manuel Neuer’s costly mistake in the 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg, some have recently called for a permanent switch to Jonas Urbig. Lothar Matthäus, however, isn’t convinced. The all-time leader in appearances for the German national team is convinced that Neuer will remain the clear number one for the German record champions.
The 40-year-old also has the backing of the club’s sporting leadership. Before departing for the Champions League match against Viking Stavanger, sporting director Max Eberl once again made the hierarchy in Munich’s goal unmistakably clear.
“Manuel Neuer is our number one and will remain so,” Eberl emphasized.
A statement that Matthäus expressly welcomes. In his latest Sky column, the former Bayern captain made it clear that he shares this assessment.
Matthäus sees no reason to change goalkeepers
For Matthäus, it’s clear that a single mistake isn’t enough to call the current division of roles into question. “Neuer is the number one; Jonas Urbig will get his chances,” explained the 65-year-old.
Urbig will get such an opportunity as early as Tuesday evening in the Champions League. Against Viking Stavanger, the 23-year-old will stand in for the slightly injured Neuer and thus take the field once again on the international stage.
Matthäus thinks highly of the young goalkeeper. In his estimation, Urbig would already be the starting goalkeeper at numerous other clubs.
“With Urbig, Munich has a number two who would be the number one at most other clubs,” emphasized the Sky expert.
Matthäus also believes the Bayern talent has a bright future with the German national team. With the right amount of playing time, he believes Urbig could even play a permanent, important role with the DFB.
National team coach Jürgen Klopp has already fielded the Munich player in the past two international matches.
“Urbig isn’t going to demand playing time right now.”
Despite his high regard for Urbig, Matthäus does not expect a power struggle between the two Bayern goalkeepers.
The 23-year-old understands his current role and knows that Neuer continues to enjoy the trust of the coaching staff. “Urbig will hope for playing time, but he knows exactly how the roles are divided,” Matthäus explained.
The all-time leading German international is convinced that the young goalkeeper will assess the situation correctly. “Because he’s intelligent, Urbig won’t be pushing for playing time just because Neuer made a mistake,” emphasized the former Bayern star.
In his view, the personal relationship between the two goalkeepers also plays an important role. Neuer has been supporting his potential successor’s development ever since the latter’s move to Munich.
Matthäus expects a quick turnaround in the Neuer debate
Matthäus views the sometimes fierce reactions to Neuer’s latest blunder with particular skepticism.
The former Bayern captain believes it’s entirely possible that public sentiment will shift again very quickly.
“If Neuer makes three world-class saves in the next few games, the 80 percent who voted against him anonymously just yesterday will be calling for his contract extension again tomorrow,” Matthäus explained.
With this, the Sky expert is alluding to the fast-paced nature of public discourse.
For FC Bayern, the goalkeeper question is thus settled for the time being. Neuer remains the number one, while Urbig is to continue to be brought along gradually.
The Champions League match in Stavanger now offers the 23-year-old his next opportunity to prove his worth. However, his appearance is unlikely to change the overall hierarchy for the time being.