„Of course I asked him“: Eberl reveals conversation with Neuer | OneFootball

Manuel Neuer is surprisingly back in Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad and now Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl has revealed how the 40-year-old’s DFB comeback had already been foreshadowed internally

Manuel Neuer’s return to the German national team continues to make headlines. After Julian Nagelsmann officially named the Bayern captain in his World Cup squad on Thursday, Max Eberl has now provided exciting insights behind the scenes

At a BILD event, the Bayern sporting director explained that the developments surrounding Neuer had already been apparent for several months

However, Eberl initially focused exclusively on FC Bayern

„For me, the first task was of course to decide whether Manuel still wanted to stay at FC Bayern beyond the summer of 2026. That’s basically my main task, that’s also my employer,“ said the 52-year-old

According to the report, the two had their first talks about the future back in January, with the next exchange taking place in March – albeit during a difficult phase for Neuer

Neuer focused on the top games

The 2014 world champion had been set back by two calf injuries at the time, with Eberl explaining: „I noticed that emotionally too.“

Neuer himself had completely focused on FC Bayern’s crucial games during this phase

„Listen, we’ve got the important games now, Real Madrid and PSG, I want to be ready for that, I want to be fit for that and then we’ll talk,“ the goalkeeper said at the time

The two finally spoke again before the Bundesliga match against Mainz, where Eberl apparently noticed that there was a lot more going on in Neuer’s head

„Manu radiated an unbelievable positivity, a desire, a motivation for a 40-year-old. Leave out the age. He put in a performance that is truly exceptional.“

For the Bayern boss, it was clear by then at the latest that the topic of the national team could suddenly come up again

„It was already clear to me that the national team was still on the table,“ explained Eberl

„Of course I also asked him once“

Nevertheless, Neuer apparently wanted to keep the topic to a minimum himself at first

„Of course I asked him once. Then he said: ‚Max, let’s talk about FC Bayern now‘.“

When Neuer finally signaled that he wanted to extend his contract at FC Bayern, the clues finally became clearer

photo: IMAGO

„Because I feel the motivation and the desire and want to win even more titles,“ Neuer explained according to Eberl

For the sporting director, it was therefore clear that a World Cup comeback was absolutely realistic

„Then you also have to think about Manuel Neuer at the World Cup,“ emphasized Eberl. After all, the Bayern captain „played an outstanding season“ and once again showed „what a personality he is. On and off the pitch.“