Manuel Neuer is set for a very special reunion on Saturday. The 40-year-old will travel with FC Bayern to face his former club, Schalke 04. While the focus on the field is on securing three points, discussions surrounding the match also center on Neuer’s long-term future. That’s because both the Munich club and the Royal Blues apparently can envision bringing the 2014 World Cup champion on board after he retires.
Neuer’s contract with Germany’s record champion expires at the end of the current season. The goalkeeper has not yet made a final decision on whether he will actually end his playing career afterward. Just recently, with an eye toward his return to Gelsenkirchen, he stated that this could be his last season.
Neuer has not yet made up his mind beyond that either. One thing is clear, however: With his experience and his significance for German soccer, the longtime Bayern captain is likely to have numerous opportunities after he retires.
Now Schalke is also positioning itself.
Schalke Opens the Door for Neuer
Supervisory Board Chairman Axel Hefer apparently can imagine seeing Neuer back at his youth club one day. He also spoke about the strained relationship between the goalkeeper and some Schalke fans following his move to FC Bayern in 2011.
“As a club, we can be proud of his career. His departure was controversial, but I personally think that anyone can make mistakes, especially when they’re young. At some point, that’s okay,” Hefer told BILD.
The Schalke boss did not specify a particular role for Neuer. For now, the 40-year-old must decide for himself which path he wants to take after his playing career.
Hefer expects that Neuer will first “just enjoy his time” and then think about his future. “Whether he wants to work in his old home or his new one—that’s something he has to decide for himself.”
By “old home,” he means Gelsenkirchen; by “new home,” he means Munich. Neuer came up through all of Schalke’s youth teams, made his breakthrough there as a Bundesliga pro, and transferred to FC Bayern in 2011. In Munich, he went on to become a club icon.
Bayern also wants to keep Neuer on the team long-term
That’s precisely why the Munich club has a strong interest in not losing Neuer entirely once his playing career ends.
President Herbert Hainer made it clear that integrating former players has been part of FC Bayern’s philosophy for decades. “It has always been FC Bayern’s goal to integrate former soccer players into management. The best examples are Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Uli Hoeneß,” explained the Bayern president.
Hainer added: “Of course, it is our wish to continue involving former players in the future, provided they are willing. After all, they have a wealth of experience, know the club and professional soccer inside and out, and that’s what helps us.”
Whether Neuer is actually aiming for a career in management remains completely open at this point. Nor has it been decided when he will finally hang up his gloves.
However, if he were to move into management after his playing career, Neuer would apparently have two interesting options. The doors are open for him at both his hometown club, Schalke, and the club where he became a legend.