Time is of the essence, as is Kimmich
FC Bayern can’t get rid of the goalkeeper problem
By Till Erdenberger
01/12/2023 11:47 am
Manuel Neuer will no longer play for Bayern Munich this season, that’s for sure. Who will represent the captain in the important games of the German soccer record champions on the way to titles is still not clear. Time is running out.
FC Bayern currently only has one healthy goalkeeper with significant experience – but he can’t keep up with the club’s very high goals. They are convinced of this with the German record champions and therefore want to put a new short-term number one in front of Sven Ulreich after the season-out of the seriously injured Manuel Neuer. But that continues to be difficult. And time is pressing. Because the puzzle remains complicated.
FC Bayern missed the first internal deadline set for the search for a new goalkeeper with a bang: Actually, the T question should have been clarified by January 6th and the start of the training camp in Qatar. However, that didn’t work. According to “Kicker”, those responsible at FC Bayern have set the restart in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig on January 20 as the next deadline for clarifying their most urgent personal details.
Manuel Neuer will be missing from FC Bayern for a long time. The national goalkeeper broke his tibia and fibula while on vacation at the World Cup. Recently, the rounds made the rounds that the injury could be more serious and complicated than initially thought. Manuel Neuer is 36 years old, when thoughts quickly arose that the Bayern captain would even have to fight to continue his career. However, Neuer himself had left no doubt that he wanted to be in the DFB goal at the home European Championship in 2024 – and accordingly play for FC Bayern again at the highest level beforehand.
With Ulreich in the first key game?
A mixed situation that makes it difficult for Alexander Nübel to bring him back, who has made it clear several times that he has no desire to work together with – and in case of doubt in the shadow of Neuer at FC Bayern. Not again. After his move from FC Schalke he was allowed to play three competitive games for FC Bayern, meanwhile he is very happy at AS Monaco. Nevertheless, Nübel, as the “kicker” writes, should not be averse to a change back – even if only for half a series. The 26-year-old is under contract with FC Bayern until 2025, if Neuer actually returns for the new season, Nübel would probably have to travel again. It would probably be the simplest external solution for FC Bayern.
Those responsible for sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić first have to secure the high goals for the second half of the season: In February, Paris St. Germain in the round of 16 of the Champions League is a huge hurdle. And after RB Leipzig’s successful run, the championship is more open than it has been for a long time, even if Marco Rose’s team is currently six points behind. The problem: next week FC Bayern has to travel to Leipzig for the Bundesliga summit (Friday, 8:30 p.m./Sat.1, DAZN and in the ntv.de live ticker).
“We’ve played number one with Ulle in the past few years. We all trust him completely. He’s played a few games this season and always been exceptionally good,” said Joshua Kimmich – and nevertheless urged action: “Nevertheless, there is no question that we still need a goalkeeper.” Coach Julian Nagelsmann was covered on Thursday: “There are several options. I think that’s obvious. Ulreich did it very well. However, I think we have a duty to get a new goalkeeper. Regardless of whether as number one or number two.” Trust in Ulreich is great, but not unreserved.
Long-term planning, that’s clear, only leads through Manuel Neuer. All those responsible for the record champions are still aware of how things went last time, when they wanted to initiate a change past Neuer. Neuer simply bit away the designated successor Nübel, who had probably been promised a double-digit number of appearances in his first season. “I’m not an extra, I’m a protagonist and I always want to play,” he said at the time, referring to Nübel’s ambitions. “Which manager would pick players who aren’t the best? I believe I’m the best even though I’m not 17 anymore.”
Messi and Co. are already at the door
Inconceivable that DFB captain Neuer could be replaced without resistance this time. Especially since he came back from his last injury in great shape: In 2019/20, FC Bayern won five titles, largely supported by their outstanding goalkeeper. Neuer’s ambition remains unbroken. So they need to plan with and around him – and most importantly, quickly come up with a solution that justifies sticking to the lofty goals. Sven Ulreich is highly regarded at the club, but above all for how he presents himself as number two.
Yann Sommer remains the preferred candidate as number one, but his club Borussia Mönchengladbach continues to wall. Sommer’s contract with the Bundesliga competitor expires in the summer, but those responsible are still reluctant to change. It’s complicated. Also because the Swiss national keeper should have a Bayern contract until 2025. First, however, FC Bayern must clarify its presence: The first big game is in nine days. At RB Leipzig, without Manuel Neuer. Everything else is pie in the sky. The transfer window closes on January 31. Two weeks later, Paris St. Germain arrives with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar.