Christoph Freund became a little more specific last Friday. “He listens to his body. Whether he feels like he can play at this level for another year. What’s important is what his gut feeling says,” said the sports director about Neuer. “There are always conversations with Manu, we know how he thinks, how he feels. He will then come to us.” With that, Freund once again verbally passed the ball clearly to Neuer. He probably wants to wait and see “what April and the beginning of May will bring when he’s back in goal and how he’ll feel, even in the English rounds,” Freund continued. “Then we will have discussions together and see the direction in which things should go.”
Neuer himself had already given a few insights into what his decision about a possible contract extension will depend on in November during the Champions League game at Paris Saint-Germain (2:1). “There are a lot of components involved. It’s certainly a question of fitness, health, motivation – and also what happens to the club next season,” said Neuer at the time, emphasizing that he couldn’t answer this question himself at the moment.
Especially when it comes to motivation, there are no doubts in his environment. “He’s still just as keen on football as he always has been,” says someone to t-online who has known Neuer for many years and has followed him closely. Neuer is extremely focused, takes care of his body, and works meticulously on his fitness so that he can continue to deliver top performances.
Recently, Neuer’s body also sent clear signals to the former world goalkeeper. Within just three months, Neuer suffered three torn muscle fibers. After his first injury shortly before the winter break, two more followed within a very short space of time. That’s why Neuer had to be substituted at half-time in both the game in Bremen (3-0) in mid-February and in his comeback against Gladbach (4-1) at the beginning of March and replaced by substitute goalkeeper Jonas Urbig.
