The national team squad was named today, Thursday. Unsurprisingly, Manuel Neuer is now included after all. This had already been hinted at recently. The national coach has now also confirmed that Neuer will be the number 1
Until recently, Oliver Baumann was actually planned as the regular goalkeeper, but the coaching team has held several discussions in recent weeks and ultimately decided to contact Neuer again
According to Nagelsmann, this was „a big blow“ for Oliver Baumann, but the Hoffenheim keeper handled it well and accepted the role as the new number two
Nagelsmann explains Neuer’s decision
At the DFB press conference, the national coach then also explained the decision in favour of Neuer. „I’m planning Neuer as number one ei. Everything was and is always up for debate. We have to find players who fit, we have to find challengers who fit well with the group. In all positions. The situation is special with the goalkeepers. We have to nominate the best three goalkeepers of a country for a tournament. That’s why we decided to ask him if he wanted to play a World Cup,“ said the coach
The Bayern goalkeeper’s performances have spoken for themselves. „Qualifying in sporting terms is important. The extension at Bayern and the fact in general whether he will stay on also plays a role. There were many discussions in the coaching team that we then had. Everyone knows the aura that surrounds him. We also know that we have a world-class 1-B solution,“ said Nagelsmann
And he raved about Neuer once again: „He also simply has this aura, he has the big name. He has something that surrounds him, that helps the team. If a game falls away, which can happen, then we also have a goalkeeper up our sleeve who can do just as well.“