Manuel Neuer played in his last major tournament this summer. Now, the goalkeeper has spoken out about the World Cup disappointment, the new national team coach Jürgen Klopp—and Jonas Urbig.
Shortly before the tournament, Manuel Neuer was brought back into the national team by head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Due to the comeback of the longtime No. 1—who had actually retired—Oliver Baumann had to settle for a spot on the bench. But even with the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in the lineup, the DFB team suffered a bitter disappointment at the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with a surprising elimination in the Round of 16 against Paraguay.
“That was, of course, very bitter and disappointing for all of us. At first, you find yourself in a bit of a slump—everyone has to process that for themselves,” Neuer said in an interview with Sky some time after the tournament. “For me, though, it turned out to be a very good thing that I didn’t end my career, but that it’s still continuing, that I still have more goals in professional soccer. It would have been really bitter if that had been my last game as a soccer player.”
As is well known, the 40-year-old has extended his contract with FC Bayern for another year. The goalkeeper will no longer take the field with the eagle on his chest; after the World Cup, Neuer announced his retirement from the national team once again.
Neuer Praises National Team Coach Klopp
This means the experienced goalkeeper is also out of the picture for the new national team coach, Jürgen Klopp. When asked if he would have liked to work with the coach, Neuer had a clear answer. “Of course,” Neuer replied. “He’s got quite a track record, including from his past. He may have coached the wrong club back then, which is why it never happened. I believe he has the most expertise, and I hope he’ll help German soccer move forward.”
It remains to be seen who will be in goal for the DFB under Klopp. One of the candidates is Jonas Urbig, who is currently the number two behind Neuer at FC Bayern. “We have a very open relationship. We love what we do and try to push each other,” says the 40-year-old, who can easily imagine his teammate as the No. 1 for the DFB: “I believe you can definitely trust him. He’s proven that in every competition. Whether it’s the Bundesliga, the Cup, or even internationally in the Champions League—playing against the best teams and putting in a good performance—I have a very good feeling about him.”
