FC Bayern will once again have to do without Manuel Neuer for an extended period. The captain suffered a partial tendon tear in his right foot during the Bundesliga match against 1. FSV Mainz 05 and is expected to be sidelined until Christmas. This raises questions not only about his return but also about his role between the posts. TV analyst Dietmar Hamann has a clear opinion on the matter and holds Neuer himself accountable.
Jonas Urbig is expected to guard the Munich goal until the winter break. The 23-year-old will thus have the opportunity to prove himself over an extended period as the stand-in for the long-time starting goalkeeper. The situation becomes particularly interesting with an eye toward the upcoming season: Urbig is expected to eventually rise to become the new number one at the German record champions.
Hamann therefore believes Bayern faces an important decision. If Urbig performs convincingly while Neuer is out, the goalkeeper question could be raised anew after the captain’s return. “The question Bayern now has to answer is what they’ll do and who they’ll put in goal,” the former national team player told BILD.
That said, they don’t have to make a decision right away. Rather, it will depend on how Urbig performs in the coming weeks.
“If Urbig plays well until Christmas and doesn’t make any mistakes, then the question is whether you put Neuer back in goal. I don’t think they need to answer that question right now; they’ll have to answer it when Neuer is back and Urbig has performed well,” said Hamann.
Hamann speaks plainly about Neuer
The expert was particularly clear regarding Neuer’s decision to continue his career. The 40-year-old had decided over the summer to play one more year with FC Bayern. Hamann can only partially understand this decision.
“He’s decided that he wants to keep going for another year. Neuer did suffer that serious injury—it’s a miracle he even came back after that severe injury from the skiing accident,” Hamann explained. He then added: “That’s why my sympathy for him is limited, because he could have retired this summer.”
Hamann is also critical of Neuer’s decision to play in the World Cup once more. “He probably shouldn’t have played in the World Cup either—which I didn’t understand, even from his perspective,” said the 53-year-old.
Neuer’s contract with FC Bayern expires next summer. There are many indications that the goalkeeper will end his extraordinary career after that. Whether he’ll return to the goal on a permanent basis before then or whether Urbig will seize his opportunity is likely to be decided in the coming weeks and months.