Harsh insults directed at Neuer: Eberl sharply criticizes Schalke fans | OneFootball

Manuel Neuer was subjected to harsh verbal abuse by some Schalke fans upon his return to Gelsenkirchen. Max Eberl responded strongly after the game.

Manuel Neuer’s return to his former youth club, FC Schalke 04, was anything but friendly. Even during warm-ups, the FC Bayern goalkeeper was met with boos and taunting chants from some Schalke fans. Among other things, chants of “We’re Schalke fans and you’re not” could be heard from the stands. Even during the match, nearly every time the 40-year-old touched the ball was met with boos.

After the 0-0 draw at the Veltins-Arena, Max Eberl spoke out clearly about the behavior of the Schalke fans. The Bayern sporting director first praised the support for his own team but then sharply criticized certain remarks directed at Neuer.

“Schalke fans—95%: Hats off to what you’ve done—the rest… you should be proud that you’ve trained such a great young man in your youth academy, who then made his mark on world soccer and became a world-class goalkeeper and world champion. But such harsh language is out of line. You can boo because you’re against Bayern, but there’s no need for language like that,” Eberl explained.

Matthäus, too, would have liked to see a different reception for Neuer

Even during the game, Lothar Matthäus had addressed the reactions of the Schalke fans on Sky. While the record-holding national team player showed understanding for the fans’ support of their own team, he would have preferred a different response given Neuer’s special connection to the club.

Photo: IMAGO

“They’re behind their team. The past doesn’t matter much,” Matthäus explained at first. He then added: “But really, they should have welcomed Manuel Neuer with applause, especially in his final Bundesliga season.”

Neuer was born in Gelsenkirchen, came up through FC Schalke’s youth system, and made the leap to the Bundesliga as a pro with the Royal Blues. In 2011, he transferred to FC Bayern. At the time, this move caused great resentment among many Schalke fans. In the years that followed, Neuer was repeatedly booed during his appearances in Gelsenkirchen.

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