Time is of the essence, Kimmich too: Bayern Munich can’t get rid of the goalkeeper problem

Time is of the essence, and so is Kimmich
Bayern Munich can’t get rid of the goalkeeper problem

By Till Erdenberger
12/01/2023 11:47 AM

Manuel Neuer will no longer play for Bayern Munich this season, that’s for sure. It remains unclear who will represent the captain in the important matches of the record champions of German football on their way to honours. time is running out.

Bayern Munich currently has only one healthy and experienced goalkeeper – but he just 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 number one in the short term in front of Sven Ulrich after the season’s exit from the seriously injured Manuel Neuer. But this is still difficult. And time goes by. Because the puzzle is still complicated.

Bayern missed the first internal deadline set for the search for a new goalkeeper: in fact, the T-question should have been clarified by January 6th and the start of the training camp in Qatar. However, this did not work. According to the ‘kicker’, Bayern Munich officials have set the Bundesliga restart against RB Leipzig on January 20 as the next deadline to clarify the most pressing personal details.

Manuel Neuer will be absent from Bayern for a long time. The national goalkeeper fractured his tibia and fibula while on vacation at the World Cup. Recently, it has made the rounds that injury can be more serious and complex than first thought. Manuel Neuer is 36 years old, when thoughts quickly arose that the Bayern Munich captain would have to fight to continue his career. However, Neuer himself has left no doubt that he wants to be in the DFB’s sights at the European Championships on home soil in 2024 – and thus play Bayern Munich again at the highest level beforehand.

With Ulreich in the first major match?

A mixed situation makes it difficult to bring him back to Alexander Nubel, who has made it clear several times that he has no desire to work together – and in case of doubt Neuer’s shadow at Bayern Munich. Not again. After his transfer from FC Schalke, he was allowed to play three competitive matches for Bayern Munich, and at the same time he was very happy in Monaco. Still, Noble, the kicker wrote, shouldn’t be averse to going back – even if only for half a series. The 26-year-old is under contract with Bayern Munich until 2025, if Neuer does indeed return for the new season, perhaps Nobile will have to travel again. This is probably the simplest external solution for FC Bayern.

Those in charge of sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic must first secure the lofty goals for the second half of the season: In February, Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League was a big hurdle. And after the success of RB Leipzig, the championship is more open than it has been for a long time, even if Marco Rose’s side are currently six points behind. Problem: Bayern Munich have to travel next week to Leipzig for the Bundesliga summit (Fri, 8:30 pm / Sat 1, DAZN and on ntv.de live stream).

“We’ve played number one for Ulle the last few years. We all have full faith in him. He’s played a few games this season and he’s always been exceptionally good,” said Joshua Kimmich, however, urging action: “However, there is no question that we We still need a goalkeeper.” Coach Julian Nagelsmann was covered on Thursday: “There are several options. I think that’s obvious. Ullrich has done it very well. However, I think it’s our duty to get a new goalkeeper. Regardless of whether you’re first or second.” Confidence in Ulreich is great, but not without reservation.

Long-term planning, that’s clear, is only driven by Manuel Neuer. All those responsible for the record-breaking champions are still aware of how things went last time, when they wanted to make a change after noir. Noir simply alienated the designated successor Noble, who may have been promised a double-digit number of appearances in its first season. “I’m not an extra player, I’m a champion and I’ve always wanted to play,” he said at the time, referring to Noble’s ambitions. “Which coach would pick players who aren’t the best? I think I’m the best even though I’m not 17 anymore.”

Messi & Co. is already at the door

It is inconceivable that Bundesliga captain Neuer could be replaced without resistance this time around. Especially since he’s returned from his recent injury in fantastic form: in 2019/20, Bayern Munich won five titles, largely bolstered by their outstanding goalkeeper. Neuer’s ambition has not been interrupted. So they need to plan with and around him—and, most importantly, quickly come up with a solution that justifies sticking to lofty goals. Sven Ulrich is highly regarded at the club, but above all for how he presents himself as a number two.

Jan Sommer remains the favorite as the front runner, but his club Borussia Monchengladbach is still teetering. Sommer’s contract with the Bundesliga rival expires in the summer, but officials are still reluctant to change. it’s complicated. Also because the Swiss goalkeeper must have a Bayern contract until 2025. First, Bayern Munich must make their presence clear: the first big game in nine days. In Leipzig without Manuel Neuer. Everything else is pie in the sky. The transfer window closes on January 31. Two weeks later, Paris Saint-Germain arrived with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.