Resignation in August 2024
© Imago
According to his advisor Thomas Kroth (Pro Profile GmbH), Manuel Neuer would have no objection to a comeback in the German national team if the situation would require his return. When asked whether FC Bayern, who was almost 40 years old, was still good enough for the 2026 World Cup, the player agent replied in an interview with the “Frankfurter Rundschau” with a laugh: “If I now give a clear answer, I open a barrel.”
Kroth explained: “He is in top shape, absolutely does his performance. If Julian Nagelsmann sees a problem in the position, Manuel is healthy and asked – then Manu will certainly not say no.” New status 124 times for the DFB team between the posts, which is not exceeded by any German goalkeeper, for the first time on June 2, 2009 in a test against the United Arab Emirates. Before the 2010 World Cup, René Adler was considered number one before the then Leverkusen keeper signed up for the tournament in South Africa due to injury. Neuer used the favor of the hour and rose to one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the following years, crowned with the 2014 World Cup title in Brazil.
A year ago, in August 2024, the veteran ended a line under his international career. “At some point the day had to come,” said Neuer in an embassy, which was widespread via Instagram. “With today’s day, my career ends with the German national team. Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not easy for me. (…) We have had a lot of ups and downs. (…) If I look back today, it fulfills me with pride and a lot of gratitude to have been on the pitch with all the teammates and have also been captain of the German national team for over seven years – until my injury.) To wear the national team’s jersey.
The long-time deputy Marc-André Ter Stegen is actually the new number one. The 33-year-old had been operated on in July. It is currently in the rehab phase. At FC Barcelona, regardless of the injury of coach Hansi Flick, he was no longer planned as a regular. However, national coach Nagelsmann also insists on regular missions for his comeback after his comeback. “He is number one when he plays,” said the national coach. Nagelsmann also stated progress in the goalkeeper. “Rehabilitation is going well and I also believe that it can get in a little earlier than initially suspected.”
Ter Stegen himself had spoken of a three -month downtime after the operation. The goalkeeper position described Nagelsmann as a “super delicacy”. You need “rhythm”. Coach Oliver Baumann from TSG Hoffenheim has appointed number one for the six World Cup qualification games until November. The 35-year-old had already represented Ter Stegen after his knee surgery, through which he had missed a total of six caps in the Nations League. Meanwhile, consultant Kroth assumes that the relationship between Nagelsmann and Neuer is fine again: “I don’t know anything else.”