From Neuer heir to a side note: FC Bayern’s Nübel problem | OneFootball

Alexander Nübel’s chapter at FC Bayern is coming to an end. What was once intended as a long-term goalkeeping solution has developed into a constellation that hardly makes sense for either side

When Nübel moved to Munich from FC Schalke 04 on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, it was seen as a strategic coup. FC Bayern wanted to make early provisions for the time after Manuel Neuer, and the keeper himself spoke openly about accepting the competition. Today, six years later, this plan seems like a relic from another soccer era

Urbig has finally slammed the door shut

Alexander Nübel arrived as a promising player, but is now 29 years old. He no longer represents a development option for the record champions. The decisive factor here is less his performance and more the changed situation in the Bayern goal. Manuel Neuer has publicly positioned Jonas Urbig as his successor – a signal that has been clearly perceived both internally and externally

The 22-year-old Urbig is now clearly ahead of Nübel in the hierarchy. Even the direct duel in the Bundesliga match in Stuttgart underlined this development. While Urbig made a confident impression in the Bayern goal, Nübel was emblematic of all the uncertainties that characterised his time at FC Bayern. It was an afternoon with symbolic power – and a clear division of roles

From a sporting point of view, Nübel no longer fits into the Munich construct. He is too experienced and too expensive for the role behind Neuer, but no longer intended for the role after that. A classic intermediate situation that is not sustainable in the long term

An expensive misunderstanding with no sporting return

The economic dimension is even more serious: although Nübel came on a free transfer, he developed into one of the most cost-intensive loan players in the club’s history. His annual salary is rumoured to be 12 million euros per year, while FC Bayern is said to have borne a large part of it themselves during his loan spells in Monaco and Stuttgart

In contrast, he has played just four competitive matches in a Bayern shirt – four appearances in six years, a record that inevitably raises questions at a club like FC Bayern. The extension of his contract until 2029 has further complicated the situation rather than stabilizing it

Although those in charge repeatedly emphasize Nübel’s quality and development in public, behind the scenes there is much to suggest a change in strategy. The future has been defined with Jonas Urbig and the present extended once again with Manuel Neuer. There is no room left for Nübel in this construct

A sale would be the logical step for both sides: for Nübel, the chance to make a real fresh start without a loan deal and expectation loops; for FC Bayern, the opportunity to compensate for at least part of the investment and clear up one of the last open positions in the squad

The problem: Bayern must first find a buyer. According to reports, they are hoping for a transfer fee in the region of €15 million. It is also clear that Nübel will have to accept a significant reduction in salary if he leaves the Isar permanently.