[ad_1]
“I am an athlete, I am a professional, and I always want to play. I am not an extra, I am a protagonist.”
Those were the words of Manuel Neuer, in early January, the Bayern goalkeeper and the Munich team were at training camp in Qatar. At the time, it was still believed that the club’s soccer season would end with the Champions League final on May 30.
Neuer chose these words because his club announced the signing of goalkeeper Alexander Nübel of FC Schalke, a 23-year-old who was once believed to be the number one champion. But while he, Manuel Neuer, the world goalkeeper, has a contract with Bayern, just not, when Neuer said that, he was sitting in a chair with a red back and a gold frame. It really wasn’t really a chair. It was more of a throne.
The goalkeeper’s throne
Bernd Feil / M.i.S. / imago images / MIS
Meanwhile, those prayers seem from another time: professional announcements, the fight for the usual places. The Covid 19 pandemic has also dramatically changed everyday life in the sports world. When will the final take place in the Champions League? No one knows, soccer has slowed down.
But Manuel Neuer and FC Bayern, this problem obviously cannot be stopped by the corona virus. This theme seems to be gathering momentum, at least that’s how it works. In an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”, the Bayern goalkeeper complained about his club, which he has been playing for since 2011. He misses in current negotiations on a new “appreciation” contract, at least this point is suggested by Neuer’s consultant, Thomas Kroth, who may also have a say in the conversation. Neuer says, “That is correct.”
The mole was always
In this very unusual double conversation, most consultants tend to stay in the background, Neuer and Kroth accusing FC Bayern of indiscretion, bad style. Together they fight for the sovereignty of interpretation. The content of the contract negotiations with Hasan Salihamidzic and Oliver Kahn “would apparently take place selectively.” “I don’t know at FC Bayern,” says Neuer, apparently unprepared that his former coach Niko Kovac spoke almost regularly of a lack of discretion at the club. Like Pep Guardiola, Jupp Heynckes or Louis van Gaal. The mole would not be a bad heraldic animal.
The public said Neuer was demanding a five-year contract (at the end of the period he would be 39) with an annual salary of € 20 million. His advisor now says, “These numbers are just wrong.” You don’t wonder what numbers would be correct. Only: that you are “flexible” in terms of term and salary.
Whatever that means, the question arises: why is the contract extension not successful?
Neuer is known to enjoy a high position on the team. He has been a captain for three years. And Neuer is also known to have been one of the best goalkeepers in the world again this season. The “new” has to be here because after his serious injury, which had slowed him down for more than a year since April 2017, there were slight doubts: will he come back? At first, the doubts seemed justified, but no longer.
Able to act even in times of crisis: Flick, Müller, Thiago
Hansi Flick puts it this way: “It would not only be happy if Manu spread out.” And: “Manu knows what I think of him.” Flick is the coach to whom the club has just signed a contract until 2023, during the crown crisis. A great sign of confidence. Flick is guiding the club into the future, he is responsible for the team. And this coach also trusts Manuel Neuer in his plans. At least that sounds like a sports appreciation.
The fact that the crown crisis is causing Bayern to doubt Neuer is not out of the question, but it is unlikely. The famous fixed-term deposit account will not be infinitely full, and even with the record champions, sales will decline. But the club is also capable of acting and willing to spend money.
Former assistant to Löw Flick and Neuer became world champions with the national team in 2014
LakoPress / imago images / Lackovic
This shows not only Flick staff, but also the extension of Thomas Müller’s 30-year contract, which should now stay until 2023. Spanish offensive designer Thiago, 29, looks like a new contract, the specialist magazine “Kicker “he wrote last week:” Thiago before the contract was extended to 2023. ” Both are coveted players in the transfer market, both are now signing their last major contracts. Neither of them should have given the club money.
And Manuel Neuer will not either. The Neuer / counselor double interview looks like just another act from a drama that started in Qatar in early January. “I am the protagonist,” Neuer had said. And it seems so strange because obviously all parties are ready to act: the coach wants the player, the player is “flexible”, the club has sat at the negotiating table. At least that’s the officially known starting point.
In the end, you must ask yourself what appreciation means, and it obviously means money. And that doesn’t have to be reprehensible. There is a lot of money to be made in professional soccer. Only the changes often invoked in professional football due to the crown crisis will not happen.
