The public mud battle surrounding the goalkeeper coach change at FC Bayern is entering the next round: After the sensational frustration interview with keeper Manuel Neuer, Munich CEO Oliver Kahn answered with clear words.
No question – “FC Hollywood” is back! The debate about the separation from goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic causes a lot of bad air at Bayern.
Club boss Oliver Kahn now felt compelled to counter Manuel Neuer’s sharp statements in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, which also appeared in “The Athletic” magazine.
“What Manuel said in parts of these two interviews in connection with the release of Toni Tapalovic does neither justice to him as captain nor to the values of FC Bayern. In addition, his statements are untimely because we are facing very important games,” explained Kahn on Friday evening at the request of the “German Press Agency”.
New crisis talks at FC Bayern are imminent
At the same time, Kahn made no secret of being able to understand Neuer’s disappointment, at least up to a certain point.
“He is personally affected, you have to understand that to a certain extent. We were also aware of that when we explained to him that the decision that was not taken lightly when it came to the question of the goalkeeper coach was the best thing for our team at that moment,” said the former pro.
Kahn was reminded of his own past. “I was in a similar situation as a national player in 2004. Our goalkeeping coach Sepp Maier felt badly treated by the DFB and they split up. I had worked with Sepp for years and we had a friendly and trusting relationship,” revealed the 53-year-old.
What matters is how you deal with the situation. “I was disappointed at the time, too, and I was angry at the DFB. But the common goals were my priority. They were more important to me than my personal feelings. And that’s why I decided not to express myself publicly at the time. Manuel has now done the opposite,” complained Kahn.
The former goalkeeper announced talks with the injured Neuer. “We will talk to him about it very clearly,” said Kahn.
FC Bayern: Neuer’s heart was “ripped out”
In the interview, Neuer was very disappointed that the German record champions had parted ways with Tapalovic.
“He didn’t just work for me for eleven and a half years, but for everyone. It was a blow for me when I was already on the ground. I had the feeling my heart was being ripped out, that was the craziest thing I had in mine have experienced a career,” explained the veteran.