With the return of Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich has moved back into the second tier at FC Bayern. The number two now spoke about his role with the German record champions and his move from VfB Stuttgart to Säbener Straße.
“When you’re so involved in the game, when things are going well, it’s of course not easy at first to sit back on the bench,” Ulreich told the club magazine “51”.
This season, Ulreich Neuer successfully represented FC Bayern in goal. When the regular goalkeeper was fit again after his long-term injury, the 35-year-old had to slip into the role of substitute goalkeeper again.
“I know what my job is here at FC Bayern. And I was really happy when Manu was back. It was always clear to me that I would help him in training to have a good comeback. We work as a team.” , emphasized the former Stuttgart resident.
Neuer needs competition at FC Bayern
But competition is fundamentally part of it. “In a team it is also crucial to know your place. We have a clear hierarchy, Manu is number one. But he knows that he has to give 100 percent in every training session because Daniel Peretz and I challenge him.” , Ulreich explained further.
Neuer needs this competition in order to reach his “maximum”. Ulreich described the national goalkeeper as a “friend”. “And that is also important for me because I have to feel good in order to be able to perform,” said the 35-year-old.
Ulreich moved from VfB Stuttgart to FC Bayern in 2015. At first, the goalkeeper had doubts about a change: “When FC Bayern wanted to get me from Stuttgart, the first thing I thought was: ‘Wow! Cool! Bayern!’ But then, in the next moment, I realized: Number two? I was 26 and that wasn’t in my career plan.”
But after a few days, Ulreich saw the offer as an opportunity. “I was able to learn a lot through my daily work with Manu and this world-class team. It was clear to me that some people might not want to understand that. But for me it was a step forward,” said the veteran.