The relationship between Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his coach was probably already “severely strained” before the skiing accident.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Bundesliga
A week ago, Bayern boss Oliver Kahn was very impressed by Manuel Neuer. “I was amazed at how reflective he was about the whole situation,” said the CEO, praising the reaction of his longtime number one to the signing of a second world-class keeper. “It just shows what a great character he is.”
After Neuer’s skiing accident, Bayern signed Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach.Image: AP / Michael Sohn
After Neuer had been the safe support of FC Bayern for more than eleven years, it was not foreseeable that he would simply accept the signing of goalkeeper competitor Yann Sommer. Especially since Bayern could have trusted the long-time Neuer representative Sven Ulreich.
However, Neuer accepted the obligation, after his skiing accident Neuer could not complain. The fact that the goalkeeping coach and new confidant Toni Tapalović was then also fired was something the DFB keeper did not want to leave uncommented.
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Neuer, Kahn and Salihamidžić shoot poison arrows
In an interview with the “Süddeutsche” – which was not agreed with the club bosses – Neuer let his emotions run free. “I felt like my heart was being ripped out […] That was the craziest thing I’ve experienced in my career,” he commented on the dismissal of his goalkeeping coach.
Now the statements of the Bayern bosses about their keeper sound significantly different: With his public criticism, Neuer will “neither [sich selbst] still lives up to FC Bayern’s values as captain,” rumbles Kahn. Neuer put “personal interests above those of the club”sports director Hasan Salihamidžić accuses him of.
Bayern bosses Kahn (left) and Salihamidžić didn’t like Neuer’s interview.Image: imago / MIS
While things are bubbling between Neuer and the club bosses, it is important for trainer Julian Nagelsmann to keep calm in the team. To do this, he must also give the national goalkeeper, who is highly valued in the team, the opportunity for rehabilitation.
“I’m a person who needs harmony and my door isn’t closed,” he said at the press conference before the Wolfsburg game. Even if Nagelsmann himself “would have chosen a different path.” As reported by “Kicker”, the relationship between Neuer and Nagelsmann is said to have been “severely strained” even before the skiing accident.
Neuer does not think about farewell, but is dependent on Nagelsmann
According to the report, Neuer is bothered by the fact that Nagelsmann relies on close cooperation with vice-captain Joshua Kimmich when conveying his game ideas, while the coach rarely seeks dialogue with Neuer.
Vice-captain Kimmich (left) is Nagelsmann’s extended arm on the field.Image: imago images / nordphoto
In addition, Neuer probably criticizes the uncompromising nature of his coach’s personnel policy. The fact that deserving club employees also have to fear for their position does not correspond to the values of the club, which likes to describe itself as a Bayern family.
Goalkeeper coach Tapalović is now one of the deserving employees. When he was dismissed, the management had referred to “differences in the coaching team”. According to “Kicker”, however, the 42-year-old enjoyed the respect of the team and staff. There were therefore mainly points of friction with head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
According to the report, Neuer does no plans to leave Bayern in the summer or end his career. At the same time, however, Nagelsmann’s power in the club seems to be growing more and more. Since Salihamidžić invested a record fee of up to 25 million euros in Nagelsmann at the time, the sports director must hope that the 35-year-old turns out to be a successful coaching solution.
Therefore, Neuer’s future with the record champions is primarily dependent on Nagelsmann’s grace. It is helpful that the trainer is willing to talk. Ultimately, however, the coach will make his line-up dependent on the sporting side, Neuer’s merits for the club are likely to be secondary.
The possibility that Nagelsmann wants to have Yann Sommer in the team next season is therefore definitely there – whether Neuer will face up to this competition is more than questionable.
Football commentators are often viewed critically by fans. Attention is paid to the choice of words or to the fact that all players are recognized, named and pronounced correctly. If viewers find even a small mistake, a hate comment on Twitter or Instagram is quickly written.
