The evergreen Neuer: Bayern chief leaves door open for contract extension | OneFootball

At 39 years old, Manuel Neuer is in the late autumn of his career. It is still unclear when the 2014 World Cup winner will finally hang up his goalkeeper gloves. His current contract with FC Bayern runs until the summer of 2026 – but according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the goalkeeper could even stay in Munich for longer.

"I wish it for him. But I'm honest: After his serious injury, I initially had doubts. And at almost 40, you're naturally not as fit as you were at 30. But the way he's playing at the moment, Manuel is an absolute asset for FC Bayern," the 70-year-old explained in a conversation with Abendzeitung München.

With this, Rummenigge hinted that a further contract extension is not ruled out.

Neuer remains the benchmark in goal

Photo: IMAGO

Regardless of age, Rummenigge still sees Neuer as one of the best goalkeepers in the world: "We have the best in goal that European football has to offer. What he has done for the club – and still does – is outstanding. He has taken goalkeeping to a new level."

The Bayern have with Jonas Urbig, Daniel Peretz and Alexander Nübel several potential successors in the wings, but it's clear: As long as Neuer maintains this level, there's no getting past him. "We have always had top goalkeepers at FC Bayern – and any successor will have to measure up to them. At some point Manuel will stop, whenever that is. Finding a goalkeeper to fill this gap will be anything but easy. I know that already. But until then we can be grateful that he delivers these performances," says Rummenigge.

Big shoes to fill for the successor

It's clear: Whoever steps into the role of the Bayern captain will have to measure up to a goalkeeping legend. Neuer shaped the club for more than a decade, won everything there is to win, and permanently changed modern goalkeeping.

For the Munich team, he remains a steadfast support even in his advanced football age – and possibly for longer than many would have expected.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.