Due to his broken leg, Manuel Neuer will not be able to provide any sporting arguments in the near future.Image: imago / Moritz M
Bundesliga
Manuel Neuer’s most recent interview has provided plenty to talk about at FC Bayern: After the Bayern bosses signed Yann Sommer, a second world-class keeper, and then also sacked goalkeeping coach and new confidante Toni Tapalović, the national keeper let his frustration run wild in a public interview. Board boss Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidžić then responded in the media.
The Bayern board of directors is said to have met on Tuesday morning to discuss solutions and consequences internally.
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New sacking is not an option, instead there is a risk of a high fine
As the “Picture” reported, the board interpreted the interview, which was not agreed with the bosses, as “damaging the club”. Both Kahn and Salihamidžić, as well as Bayern President Herbert Hainer, were therefore severely disappointed by the behavior of their captain.
Former Adidas boss Herbert Hainer has been FCB president since 2019.Image: dpa / Sven Hoppe
At Bayern Munich, “we sort things out internally and that’s what makes our club special and strong,” Hainer is quoted as saying. In fact, the club president was the only one who had not sought the way to the public.
After all, kicking out the national keeper was not up for discussion at the meeting. “There was absolutely no question of terminating the contract,” confirms Hainer. Instead, a high fine for the keeper, who has been with FC Bayern since 2011, was considered.
“Sport Bild” also reports in the current issue that the club’s management is discussing whether the new captain can stay with Munich. Coach Julian Nagelsmann kept a low profile on this question during the game in Wolfsburg (4:2). At the same time, according to the magazine, Joshua Kimmich is “persistently aiming for the captaincy at Bayern”.
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At the same time, the Bayern bosses would like to save the relationship with one of their biggest stars. Therefore, it was also discussed how the relationship between the goalkeeper and coach Nagelsmann could be repaired.
Julian Nagelsmann (left) has been trying to keep calm in the team since the Neuer interview.Image: imago / MIS
Most recently, the “kicker” reported that the relationship had been “badly burdened” even before Neuer’s skiing accident. Accordingly, Neuer was bothered by the fact that Nagelsmann was looking for a conversation with Vice-Captain Joshua Kimmich instead of with him. The fact that the coach is said to have played a key role in Tapalović’s dismissal should put an additional strain on the relationship.
According to the “Bild” newspaper, the bosses are now planning a discussion with the keeper. Since the team is to prepare undisturbed for the Champions League game against PSG (February 14, 9 p.m.), it is said to have been decided that the conversation with Neuer should only be held after the round of 16 first leg.
November 13, 2022 was a day the football community in Germany had longed for: For the first time ever, an NFL regular season game was played on German soil.
