The discussions surrounding Manuel Neuer at FC Bayern show no signs of letting up. While club officials continue to stand behind their longtime captain, calls for a gradual generational shift in Munich’s goal are growing louder. Now, former national team player Thomas Hitzlsperger has also weighed in. The 44-year-old believes that 40-year-old Neuer is no longer performing at his highest level and advocates for Jonas Urbig to play a bigger role.
Neuer remains the undisputed number one at Germany’s record-holding champions. However, his recent performances and recurring physical problems have reignited the debate about his athletic future.
Urbig is already poised to be a potential successor. The 23-year-old has stepped in for the Bayern captain several times this season and is expected to take over his role in the long term.
For Hitzlsperger, the main question is therefore when Munich will actually initiate the generational transition.
Hitzlsperger: “Neuer is no longer at his peak.”
In an interview with ran, the former national team player made it clear that he understands the reluctance of Bayern’s management. “I understand that Bayern doesn’t want to make this an issue,” Hitzlsperger explained, drawing a comparison to the discussion surrounding Joshua Kimmich on the national team.
“Just as the discussion about Joshua Kimmich is supposedly not an issue for Jürgen Klopp. But Manuel Neuer is no longer at the peak of his powers.”
Hitzlsperger explicitly emphasized the extraordinary significance Neuer continues to hold. “As a professional, you’re rarely in a position to admit that and make way for someone else,” explained the 2008 European Championship runner-up.
Neuer is “probably the best 40-year-old goalkeeper soccer has ever seen, and no one wants to tarnish his legacy. But the point is to prepare his successor for the important games.”
In doing so, Hitzlsperger isn’t calling the Bayern captain’s entire career into question, but rather his current role with an eye toward the future.
Hitzlsperger calls for more playing time for Urbig
From the former midfielder’s perspective, Munich should give Jonas Urbig additional responsibility as soon as possible. “The sooner that happens, the better for the club,” Hitzlsperger emphasized.
He therefore considers the discussion about a possible goalkeeper change to be absolutely “justified.”
Interestingly, as Sport BILD reports, Munich has a clear plan for the 23-year-old. Urbig is expected to play in more competitive matches this season than he did last year. Back then, the former Cologne player made a total of 20 appearances.
The former national team player also pointed out the varying consequences of potential goalkeeping errors.
A blunder like the one in the recent 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg isn’t a major problem in and of itself. Mistakes in decisive Champions League matches, on the other hand, could have significant consequences.
As an example, Hitzlsperger cited Neuer’s mistake in the quarterfinal second leg against Real Madrid last season.
At FC Bayern itself, the stance has been clear so far. President Herbert Hainer recently explicitly named Urbig as the future number one and praised his development.
Nevertheless, an immediate change in goal is not planned. Neuer still has a contract through the summer of 2027 and continues to enjoy the club’s full confidence.
Hitzlsperger’s comments, however, show that the Munich club will have to make a difficult decision in the coming months: How much longer will they rely on their legendary goalkeeper—and when will Urbig get the chance to take on the responsibility permanently?