Return even in 2024?
Report: FC Bayern fears a much later new comeback
08/08/2023, 09:50 am
In November 2022, Manuel Neuer played his last game for FC Bayern Munich to date, since then the multiple world goalkeeper has been missing from his club. A comeback date is not in sight. According to one report, a return should even be a long way off.
According to a media report, national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s comeback after breaking his leg could be further delayed. At FC Bayern there is now talk of a change of plan, the “Bild” newspaper reported. The return of the 37-year-old could therefore even be postponed until 2024. The paper writes that Neuer’s comeback could be a matter of months instead of weeks. Neuer played his last Bundesliga game for FC Bayern on November 12, 2022 at FC Schalke 04.
It had been clear for a long time that the goalkeeper would be absent from his club at the start of the Bundesliga season on August 18 at Werder Bremen. The people of Munich announced on Monday that Neuer had undergone another procedure. “Last Sunday, a planned metal removal was successfully carried out on Manuel Neuer’s right fibula,” the statement said. The Bayern captain has not played a game since breaking his lower leg in December. In response to the loss of the world-class goalkeeper, Swiss national goalkeeper Yann Sommer was signed and has now moved on to Inter Milan. Sommer does not want to jeopardize his regular place at the upcoming European Championships in summer 2024.
Neuer has to fight for a DFB regular place
Neuer also wants to be a regular goalkeeper at the home European Championship, the opening game of which the DFB team will play in the Allianz Arena. National coach Hansi Flick recently expressly did not issue a return guarantee. “I spoke to Manuel on the phone. I wish for myself and for the whole of football Germany that Manuel comes back as we all know him. Above all, I wish him the same,” the national coach announced in July. But one is also “really, very well positioned in this position”.
Shortly before the start of the season, Munich are without a clear number one in goal. With Yann Sommer, Alexander Nübel and Johannes Schenk, the Bundesliga club has already given up three goalkeepers in the current transfer period. Until a successor is found and Neuer is ready for action, Sven Ulreich will have to help out as temporary number one. The 35-year-old showed a strong performance in the 4-2 friendly against AS Monaco on Monday.