Bayern captain Neuer sounds the alarm – transfer backlog in Munich

The national goalkeeper's contract with Munich still runs for two years, but Neuer is already thinking about it. The keeper wouldn't think about ending his career at the age of 35, says his advisor Thomas Kroth. “He doesn’t want to stop in 2021,” said the 59-year-old football manager in the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Saturday. That's why "now comes the phase in which he has to decide: What's going to happen next?" Extending your contract and ending your career at FC Bayern is of course the obvious model. But not the only thing.”

Neuer links his future at the record champions with the sporting perspective. “Manuel is success-oriented. My impression is that the gap to the top four English teams is already serious and the Munich squad is currently not yet adequately - i.e. competitively - positioned to seriously tackle Manuel's goals," says Kroth. “When he realizes that FC Bayern is on the verge of taking action, then he will really blossom again.”

Memories of Lahm’s interview Ten years after Philipp Lahm caused a stir with his criticism of Munich's transfer policy, Neuer has now raised his finger - or let it be raised. At the time, Lahm was fined for his critical interview in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, but was still promoted to Bayern captain in 2011. The Munich team upgraded and increased their transfer spending. The historic triple in 2013 under coach Jupp Heynckes was the crowning achievement. Neuer lets his advisor speak Neuer, Lahm's successor as captain, now lets his advisor speak. Former Bundesliga professional Kroth also gives an insight into the emotional world of the national goalkeeper, who didn't have an easy time on the pitch last season and almost missed the DFB Cup final against RB Leipzig. “We knew that an injury would come at some point after the one-year break - Manuel had been walking on crutches for almost six months the year before. “Unfortunately, it was an unfortunate time,” said Kroth, emphasizing that after a long injury break, a high is often followed by a weaker phase. “As captain, he also had a lot to deal with at the club: new coach, building a new team, creating new structures. That’s draining.”

The new Bayern team is far from being finalized - even if, according to Sky information, star striker Robert Lewandowski (30) is set to extend his contract, which expires in 2021, by another two years. But so far there has been no sign of Munich's much-announced transfer offensive. After Mats Hummels' move to Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund and the departures of old stars Rafinha (33), Arjen Robben (35) and Franck Ribéry (36), there are apparently problems in the transfer market. Bayern's dream players don't come Leroy Sané's move from Manchester City doesn't seem feasible and Ousmane Dembélé's signing from FC Barcelona has apparently been done - if Bayern really wanted him. Barça president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday: “Dembélé is young, talented and offers much more. I think he is better than Neymar. He still has so much development potential, that's why we want to keep him." Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi is also said to have decided against a move to Munich.

So far, Bayern have signed two French world champions for defense: Benjamin Pavard, who was relegated to League Two with VfB Stuttgart, and Lucas Hernández from Atlético Madrid, who is currently recovering from his knee injuries. In addition, 19-year-old striker Jann-Fiete Arp from second division club Hamburger SV has been confirmed.

Borussia Dortmund seems to have invested better - the runner-up is considered a big challenger to Bayern. But the Munich team, who are the last Bundesliga team to start preparing for the season on Monday, may have every reason to be calm. “If you only knew what we already have for the new season,” Bayern President Uli Hoeneß said on television a few months ago.

	SP	TV	P
1. Bayer Leverkusen	31	77:22	81
2. Bayern Munich	31	89:38	69
3. VfB Stuttgart	31	70:38	64
4. RB Leipzig	31	73:35	62
5. Bor. Dortmund	31	59:39	57
6. Eintracht Frankfurt	31	47:42	45
View all

	SP	TV	P
1. FC St Pauli	31	57:33	63
2. Holstein Kiel	31	61:37	61
3. Fortuna Dusseldorf	31	65:36	56
4. Hamburger SV	31	59:42	52
5. Karlsruhe SC	31	62:45	49
6. Hannover 96	31	53:39	46
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Bayern captain Neuer sounds the alarm – transfer backlog in Munich

Shortly before the start of training at FC Bayern, captain Manuel Neuer questioned his long-term future with the record champions.

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