The arguments are said to have been exchanged between Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and captain Manuel Neuer. The dismissal of the goalkeeping coach is still looming over the club, comments Jörg Strohschein.
Bayern coach Manuel Neuer (l.) and trainer Julian Nagelsmann spoke out
The matter has been resolved and the focus is now on the future again, said Julian Nagelsmann before the Bundesliga game against VfL Bochum. The coach of FC Bayern Munich wanted to bury this explosive topic about Manuel Neuer in public. The goalkeeper and captain, who is currently out of action with a broken shin, caused a great stir and furore in the German football public and at the club at the same time last week.
In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, which was not agreed with the club, Neuer complained about his lack of understanding about the leave of absence of his goalkeeping coach and friend Toni Tapalovic, which surprised him. It “ripped his heart out,” he said, among other things, somewhat pathetically about this separation.
No further disturbances desired
Nagelsmann justified this extremely unpopular decision, especially with Neuer, by not having found a real working level with Tapalovic during his time. Now Nagelsmann said a little nebulously before the Bochum game: “The Manuel Neuer case is not closed”, and explained that this sentence can be understood ambiguously. “The issue is closed, that we are looking ahead, that we are doing everything for it that Manuel gets well, that I try to support him as best I can.” He expects Neuer “to support me in achieving our goals.”. The Bayern coach obviously attached great importance to emphasizing this aspect because he may have doubts about it.
Doesn't really believe in a real peace in Bavaria: DW editor Jörg Strohschein
The message behind it: Nagelsmann no longer wants to be disturbed by this topic. Not from the outside, but also not from the inside – and certainly not from Neuer. The tasks in the coming weeks with the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Champions League – the most important title for FCB – are slowly entering the decisive weeks. And Nagelsmann knows that the criticism of his work has been getting louder and louder lately.
Rich in personal vanity
The Bavarian board of directors around Oliver Kahn is also trying to find inner peace these days. Immediately after the interview, the panel's reaction was cautious and reserved. The latest message: Only after the round of 16 against Paris St. Germain should the conversation with Neuer be sought again. Further unrest is really not wanted at the moment.
Even if no content from the two-way meeting between Nagelsmann and Neuer has become public, it can probably be ruled out that Nagelsmann wanted his injured goalkeeper to understand or even agree is hit. Apparently Neuer regards Nagelsmann's decision as disrespectful. Because the 36-year-old Neuer has won almost everything in (world) football together with Tapalovic. The 35-year-old coach Nagelsmann, on the other hand, is only at the beginning of his coaching career.
Both protagonists should now have agreed on nothing more than a truce – which should be built on feet of clay. The topic continues to hover threateningly over the club. And the smallest weaknesses of one or the other should contribute in this business, which is extremely rich in personal vanities, to the fact that this cause gets out of hand again.