Transfer Centre

Bayern Munich president rules out Manuel Neuer contract termination

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 07 February 2023

Bayern president rules out Neuer contract termination

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer rules out any possibility of terminating Manuel Neuer's contract despite the goalkeeper's recent public criticism of the club.

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has revealed that Manuel Neuer's contract will not be terminated despite recent remarks made by the German goalkeeper.

The Bayern and Germany number one, who is currently out injured with a broken leg, went on record to criticise the club for sacking long-serving goalkeeper coach and close friend Toni Tapalovic, in interviews with The Athletic and Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"That blow hit me extremely hard. I was told by the club officials. It came out of nowhere. For Toni too. I didn't understand that at all. It really knocked me down," Neuer told The Athletic.

"Toni was always a team player with us, everyone saw it that way. He wasn't working for me for 11-and-a-half years, but for the entire goalkeeper group, for the coaching staff and for the club. We were always able to separate work and private life.

"I understand that it might sound like I'm not being objective or not believable, but I can really tell the difference. For me, that was a blow — when I was already down on the ground. I felt like my heart was being ripped out. It was the most brutal thing I've experienced in my career. And I've experienced a lot."

Manuel Neuer in action for Bayern Munich on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

Tapalovic was accused of leaking chats to other players and therefore was dismissed by the club late last month.

However, those in the Bayern hierarchy and former legends of the club have not taken too kindly to Neuer's comments.

Club legend Lothar Matthaus unleashed a scathing attack on the goalkeeper in a column for Sky Sports Germany, saying: "Neuer is no longer acceptable as Bayern captain!"

Matthaus also referenced the skiing accident which caused Neuer's season-ending injury as a criticism of him, adding: "He skied negligently and is now giving an unauthorised interview in which he vehemently attacks the club. Hadn't he said a few weeks ago that no one was above the club? And now this."

When questioned on the topic though, and asked whether Neuer may have his contract terminated, president Hainer told BR24 Sport: "No, not at all. That's why we are FC Bayern Munich. At FC Bayern Munich we will always clarify such things internally. Such things make FC Bayern strong and special."

It is an unwelcome distraction for manager Julian Nagelsmann, who has come under more pressure following a stuttering return to action after the winter break which saw Bayern fail to win any of their first three games back, before victory at Wolfsburg on Sunday.