The DFB team had barely returned to the road to success when a problem threatened to derail them again. World champion Manuel Neuer could return to the FC Bayern goal at the weekend. His national team comeback is also being eagerly discussed. But that would be associated with major problems.
It was only a matter of time before the topic of Manuel Neuer and the national team was brought up again in the media. Because as much as one would understandably like to downplay the overall problem at the DFB (“The most important thing is that we give Manu the time he needs to get healthy again so that he can perform at 100 percent again,” says Julian Nagelsmann), the issue is natural across the pit of my stomach, until the moment when it was finally and finally cleared away. Until then, there will be a conflict smoldering in the national team’s orbit, which will have a lasting impact on the DFB team’s continued success.
And so, shortly before the world champion goalkeeper’s comeback in the FC Bayern jersey and the German national team’s second game on their trip to the USA on Wednesday against Mexico, the “Welt” headlined: “Nagelsmann’s biggest test is called Manuel Neuer.” Now you might think that the topic actually doesn’t make any sense at the moment, but that would only briefly push aside the problem that will definitely affect the DFB team – but it wouldn’t solve it that way.
There is only one reason why the topic should not ultimately be discussed bitterly by Football Germany – and that would indeed be tragic. Only if Manuel Neuer can no longer get back on his feet will there be no debate about him as a national goalkeeper. However, if Neuer is in goal for the record champions in the coming weeks and months, no one can avoid the discussion.
Manuel Neuer himself still has one goal: he really wants to become European champion! He emphasizes this again and again. Because it is the only title he is still missing. It’s understandable that he personally still wants to achieve this goal. But it is doubtful whether he is putting his own wishes above the goals and dreams of the entire DFB team. Because he himself should know best what problems a goalkeeper discussion would cause the national team in the coming days and weeks.
There can only be one solution
And it is already clear that this discussion will never take place quietly and without collateral damage. Anyone who seriously doubts this should remember Neuer’s memorable words after the dismissal of his friend, former FC Bayern goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic. His heart had been “torn out,” Neuer said at the time. It was an emotional statement that made people sit up and take notice in times of repeated clinically whitewashed interviews. And the fact that the calls for Neuer to make a comeback to the national team will come as soon as he has been in goal for FC Bayern a few times is as certain as Munich’s championship subscription.
- Ben Redelings is a best-selling author and comedian from the Ruhr area.
His current book “60 Years of the Bundesliga. The Anniversary Album” is a modern classic from the publisher “The workshop”
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Julian Nagelsmann and his team, as tragic and dramatic as it is, can’t do anything right in this situation. No matter how they decide, what they say and do – it will always remain a problem in the end.
And because that is the case and Germany currently has no worries in the goalkeeper position, there is actually only one thing for a clean and fair solution: Manuel Neuer himself would have to declare his resignation in the interests and well-being of the entire German national team. It would be a great gesture of intelligence and team spirit. Perhaps the deserving and outstanding World Cup keeper will seriously consider this possibility. He can be sure: Football Germany would be grateful to him from the bottom of its heart for this symbolic act.
But now all the best for a successful and healthy comeback in the FC Bayern Munich box, dear Manuel Neuer!