Something like a year of epidemics ends for Manuel Neuer with a broken leg. In an important phase of the season, FC Bayern suddenly has to think about the future.
A friendly expression on his face, a half-hearted “thumbs up” and a thick leg in a cast – this is how Manuel Neuer presented himself to his fans on Saturday (December 10th, 2022) on social media. A lower leg fracture in the right leg is the diagnosis associated with the picture.
The injury sustained on a ski tour in Bavaria means the end of the season for the captain of FC Bayern and the German national team. The recovery wishes were not long in coming. “We will stand by him and accompany him on his way to his comeback”said Bavaria’s CEO Oliver Kahn.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic also underlined: “He is a strong personality and will come back.” National coach Hansi Fllick also sent best wishes and is sure to plan with Neuer as well.
Corona, knee, corona, shoulder
For Manuel Neuer, something like a year of epidemics ends. In January he had Corona, then the 36-year-old missed the Munich team in mid-February after an operation on his right knee in five competitive games. The second corona infection followed in September and in October the Munich team had to do without their goalkeeper for a total of seven games.
A bruised shoulder joint even briefly raised doubts about a World Cup participation, but in the last three Bundesliga games before the World Cup break Neuer was back in goal for FC Bayern.
No doubts about the next comeback
So now the broken leg. Neuer will be missing for almost six months. When he returns to the field he will be 37 years old. The recent injury will not change his goal of continuing his career in his own country at least until the 2024 European Championship.
And the Bayern bosses are also assuming the next comeback in their statements. “He will recover from this serious injury and return to the pitch as strong as before,” Kahn is sure. But in an important phase of the season in Munich they have to think about how much future they dare.
Ulreich – and then?
The Bundesliga, DFB Cup and especially the Champions League are all about titles, and Sven Ulreich will probably be the key again. The “eternal representative” has proven his suitability more than once, is experienced at 34 and can sometimes be a support in big games.
After that, however, it gets thin. For Johannes Schenk (19), Lukas Schneller (21) or Jakob Mayer (21) the upcoming tasks should actually be a bit too big even as number two. So of course the name Alexander Nübel comes into play.
Difficult business game with Nübel
The now 26-year-old, brought in as a possible new successor in 2021 after a strong season at Schalke 04, has a contract with Bayern until 2025. However, Nübel is still on loan to AS Monaco until the summer.
A return campaign should be a bit tricky – because after half a year Neuer should return with the old status and Nübel would probably be a replacement again. A back and forth that is not good for anyone. Neuer’s ambition should deter any medium-term candidate, not just Nübel.
Experienced for the bank?
Therefore, it is more likely that Munich will bring in another veteran. Like in 2014, when Pepe Reina came from Liverpool for a year and was allowed to score three times. Manuel Neuer should then also be more confident in putting his thumb up than in his photo from the hospital.