Bayern goalkeeper Neuer extends contract by a year
TL;DR
Manuel Neuer has extended his contract with Bayern Munich for one additional year, ensuring he remains the first-choice goalkeeper for the next season. The 40-year-old had considered retirement before making this decision.
Key points
- Manuel Neuer extends contract with Bayern Munich for one year
- He will remain the first-choice goalkeeper next season
- Neuer had considered retirement before this decision
Bayern Munich Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer takes part in a training session at Saebener Strasse, ahead of the UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg soccer match against Paris Saint-Germain. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Manuel Neuer has extended his contract with Bayern Munich for one year and is expected to remain the club's first-choice goalkeeper next season.
"It is definitely the right decision," the 40-year-old said in a club statement on Friday. "We have got the right spirit in the team."
His deal was due to run out in June and he had mulled retirement.
Neuer, linked in the media with a return to the Germany team for the World Cup, will help develop highly-rated young keeper Jonas Urbig as his long-term successor after they shared time between the posts this season.
Third goalkeeper Sven Ulreich has also extended his deal by another year.
Champions Bayern play their final Bundesliga match of the season against Cologne on Saturday, when captain Neuer will play and lift the trophy.
Coach Vincent Kompany told a news conference on Friday before the extension was announced: "Bayern are German champions and we have the best German goalkeeper. That says it all.
"Manu will play tomorrow. I know it might be emotional because it's against (Urbig's former side) Cologne. But Jonas will get plenty more chances to play against Cologne."
A German Cup final against VfB Stuttgart on May 23 follows.
Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said: "People will still be talking about this goalkeeper, this captain and this personality for many years to come. We are very pleased that he and Sven Ulreich - reliability personified - will stay with us for another season.
"This goalkeeping duo is one for the history books."
Neuer will enter a 16th and probably last season with Bayern after joining from Schalke in 2011 for a reported fee of around €30 million ($34.9 million).
The former Germany captain, who won the 2014 World Cup with the national team, has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in Bayern's history, winning multiple Bundesliga and Champions League titles with the club.
He has retired from international duty but there is still speculation Julian Nagelsmann might persuade him to play at the World Cup, with the squad announcement coming soon.
Kompany added: "My thoughts are always with the national team coach, who is under immense pressure to put together the squad for the World Cup. It’s not for the Bayern coach to comment on that now. I’d like to let him put his squad together in peace and not interfere."
Q&A
Why did Manuel Neuer extend his contract with Bayern Munich?
Manuel Neuer extended his contract to continue as Bayern Munich's first-choice goalkeeper, citing the positive team spirit as a key factor.
What is the duration of Manuel Neuer's new contract with Bayern Munich?
Manuel Neuer's new contract with Bayern Munich is for one additional year.
Was Manuel Neuer considering retirement before extending his contract?
Yes, Manuel Neuer had mulled retirement before deciding to extend his contract with Bayern Munich.
