Sepp Maier speaks candidly about Manuel Neuer’s future following his injury. The Bayern legend would advise the captain to end his career.
Sepp Maier has given Manuel Neuer clear advice about his future following his latest injury. The legendary goalkeeper would recommend that the Bayern captain end his career this summer. In an interview with SPORT1, Maier also explained why the 40-year-old’s recurring physical problems are of particular concern to him.
When asked what advice he would personally give Neuer if he had to decide between retiring and continuing his career this summer, Maier replied: “I’d tell him, ‘Give it up, Manu!’ You’ve given so much to soccer, you’ve won everything, and you don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore.”
Neuer was injured again during the 2-1 away win in Mainz. FC Bayern confirmed a partial tendon tear in his right foot. This means the captain will be sidelined for the time being. Even before this setback, discomfort in his foot had forced him to take breaks on several occasions.
For Maier, this turn of events shows that even Neuer’s extraordinary ambition has its limits. “A goalkeeper always wants to play—especially someone like Manuel. He has incredible drive. But when you’re already in pain just walking normally, you naturally have to give it some thought. You can’t keep pushing your body to its limits. At some point, it tells you: ‘That’s it—enough!’”
The 1974 World Cup champion now sees this as a danger for Neuer himself: “That drive has made him one of the best goalkeepers in the world for many years. But that same drive can also get in your way at some point. You have to recognize when it makes more sense to take a break.”
Maier calls for a clear decision between Neuer and Urbig
Maier’s statements carry weight precisely because he has regularly defended Neuer in the past. As recently as October, he strongly criticized the public debate surrounding the Bayern captain. Even now, he by no means denies Neuer’s exceptional abilities.
“Manuel still has extraordinary abilities. You don’t just lose those. But of course, you also have to judge a goalkeeper by his current performance. Just because someone used to be world-class doesn’t automatically mean he’ll stay that way forever,” Maier emphasized.
For him, availability is increasingly becoming the main focus: “If Manuel is in top shape, he’s still one of the best goalkeepers in my book. His experience, his charisma, his understanding of the game—that’s truly exceptional. But the crucial question is: How often is he still truly fit? It doesn’t do you any good to be world-class if your body can’t keep up anymore. And Jonas Urbig is doing a good job. You shouldn’t underestimate him either.”
Maier therefore believes Bayern faces an important decision. He understands the call to make Urbig the permanent number one, but wants to continue giving Neuer a chance if he’s fully fit and performing accordingly.
“But Bayern needs to make a clear decision soon. This constant back-and-forth doesn’t help either of the two goalkeepers,” he explained.
Given the available alternative, Maier sees no reason to take risks in order to ensure the captain’s return as quickly as possible: “Bayern has a good goalkeeper in Urbig. There’s no need to take any unnecessary risks with Manuel. A tendon injury is not something to be taken lightly.”
Neuer himself has already addressed the fans with a defiant message following his diagnosis and has focused on his recovery. He must decide for himself what his future holds. Above all, Maier hopes he’ll still be able to determine that timing on his own: “But of course it would be nice if he could decide for himself when and how he retires—and not have the next injury make that decision for him.”