Sammer defends Neuer’s return to the DFB team: „He’s the best!“ | OneFootball

Matthias Sammer has made a clear statement on Manuel Neuer’s possible return to the DFB goal – and has given Oliver Baumann in particular little hope. For the ex-Bayern professional, the only thing that counts is sporting quality

The discussion surrounding the goalkeeper issue for the German national team is coming to a head just a few days before the official World Cup nominations. After several media outlets recently reported that Julian Nagelsmann wants to back Manuel Neuer as number 1 for the 2026 World Cup, Matthias Sammer has now also spoken out

The former Bayern sporting director made it unmistakably clear that only performance counts for him – and not loyalty or public sentiment

Sammer defends Neuer’s return

In an interview with Sky, Sammer explained that the situation surrounding Neuer was unusual: the Bayern captain had only decided to extend his contract in Munich at a late stage and had apparently signaled just as late that he could be available to the DFB again

For Sammer, however, this should not be an argument against a return: „Are we on a coffee run or are we in high-performance sport?“ asked the 57-year-old provocatively

The former international made it clear that tough decisions sometimes have to be made in top-level soccer – even if they seem brutal to outsiders

His position is clear: „The aim must be to have the best goalkeeper at the moment.“ And Sammer clearly has no doubts about this: „Manuel Neuer is the best German goalkeeper we have.“

No sympathy for Oliver Baumann

photo: IMAGO

Sammer was particularly clear when asked about Oliver Baumann

The Hoffenheim keeper was set for the entire World Cup qualifying campaign and had been firmly expecting to be number one, but according to recent reports, Nagelsmann has since informed him that Neuer will be number one for the World Cup if he is fit

Sammer does not feel sorry about this, „but not at all“, explained the former Dortmund and Bayern professional, adding that although Baumann is a „wonderful person“ and has played a good season, this is precisely the reality of top-level soccer

Sammer pointed out that there is extremely little space at goalkeeper, which is why the best player has to play

Interesting: Sammer showed much more sympathy for Marc-André ter Stegen. The Barcelona keeper had suffered a serious injury and is out for the tournament. For Sammer, this is the real tragedy. „If you had asked me whether I felt sorry for Marc-André ter Stegen, I would say yes,“ he explained

Baumann, on the other hand, could continue to play and be part of the team – even if the decision was bitter for him personally

Sammer’s statements are likely to further fuel the discussion surrounding Manuel Neuer

Oliver Kahn, Felix Magath and other prominent voices have recently shown understanding for the 40-year-old’s return, while criticism of Julian Nagelsmann’s communication style is also growing

Clarity will finally prevail on Thursday at the latest, when the national coach announces his official 26-man squad for the World Cup.