Manuel Neuer turns 40 at the end of March, a date that inevitably raises the question of the end of an extraordinary career. It remains to be seen whether the 2014 world champion will extend his contract with FC Bayern, which expires in the summer. What is undisputed, however, is that Neuer has revolutionized the goalkeeping game like no other
His qualities with the ball at his feet made him the prototype of the modern, playful keeper. What seems almost natural today was an exceptional phenomenon at the start of his career. Neuer pushed the boundaries of his position, often acting like an additional outfield player, initiating attacks and anticipating situations far outside his penalty area
He therefore gave the younger generation clear advice: „Be open to new things. Work on your weaknesses. Don’t say: ‚I only play with my right foot.‘ Nowadays, you have to be able to play with both feet.“ Words that are emblematic of his own development
Guardiola seriously considered changing positions
The fact that Neuer’s skills on the ball are exceptional did not go unnoticed by Pep Guardiola. The former Bayern coach is said to have seriously toyed with the idea of using his goalkeeper as an outfield player at times. A mind game that almost became reality
Neuer himself can certainly get something out of the idea. He told L’Equipe: „I could have played upfield at a lower level. In a possession-oriented team in the third division, that would have been possible, among other things. I would probably have lacked a little speed, but I could have played at a good level.“
He would most likely have seen himself as a central defender or defensive midfielder – „a bit like Javi Martínez“ – a role that requires game intelligence, anticipation and calmness on the ball – all strengths that Neuer also excels at in goal
Rummenigge stopped the experiment
In fact, former Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed in the members‘ magazine 51 that Guardiola was seriously planning to play Neuer in midfield after winning a championship
However, Rummenigge was „only able to dissuade“ the Spaniard from this idea „with great difficulty“. The reason was not so much of a sporting nature, but rather a question of external image. Such a move could have been interpreted as arrogance on the part of FC Bayern – an unnecessary signal to the competition
Neuer was never used as an outfield player in a competitive match, neither at Schalke nor in Munich. And perhaps that’s a good thing, because he made history as a goalkeeper – with saves on the line and passes that redefined the game
It will be decided in the coming months whether he will open another chapter at FC Bayern, but his legacy has long been established.