Neuer comeback: Nagelsmann’s behavior causes discussion | OneFootball

Manuel Neuer’s return to the German national team remains one of the dominant topics surrounding the 2026 World Cup. Although Julian Nagelsmann officially confirmed on Thursday that the Bayern keeper will start the tournament as number one, a new detail about the conversation with Oliver Baumann is now causing additional discussion

Apparently, the communication with the Hoffenheim goalkeeper went a little differently than the national coach had publicly presented it

At the press conference for the squad announcement, Nagelsmann explained that the decision for Neuer and against Baumann was „a blow“ for the Hoffenheim keeper. At the same time, the national coach expressly praised the 35-year-old’s reaction. „He said that he would never let the team down,“ Nagelsmann emphasized

The DFB coach also emphasized that Baumann had reacted professionally despite the difficult situation

Piquant detail revealed

photo: IMAGO

However, according to BILD head of soccer Christian Falk, Nagelsmann did not disclose all of his communication at the press conference

In the Bayern Insider podcast, Falk explained: „He didn’t tell us everything.“ Particularly explosive: Nagelsmann is said to have explained the decision to Baumann with an important addition. „I heard that he told Baumann with an addition, in case you were injured. I think that makes a difference,“ said Falk

This detail is causing discussion because, according to several reports, Baumann had assumed until the beginning of the week that he would travel to the World Cup as number one

The Hoffenheim man had played the entire World Cup qualifying campaign and was long regarded internally as the clear solution in the German goal. It was only with the intensified talks between Nagelsmann and Neuer that the development apparently took a new direction

Neuer convinces athletically and with his aura

Nevertheless, Nagelsmann clearly defended his decision on Thursday: „When it comes to goalkeepers, the main task is to nominate the three best goalkeepers,“ explained the national coach

That’s why they decided to ask Neuer again

It wasn’t just the athletic quality that was particularly important: „Everyone knows what an aura Manu has and what he gives a team,“ enthused Nagelsmann

One thing is now clear: the DFB are firmly planning to use the Bayern keeper, who is likely to miss the cup final against VfB Stuttgart, as their No. 1 for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. „We are planning with him as No. 1 – knowing that we have a world-class 1B solution,“ Nagelsmann made clear

Despite his strong performances, this leaves Baumann with the role of stand-in keeper – a decision that is still the subject of intense debate in Germany.