Captain Manuel Neuer has signed a new one-year contract with Bayern Munich.
The 40-year-old keeper’s previous contract was due to end this summer. He finalized the new agreement on Friday, joining fellow goalkeeper Sven Ulreich in extending their tenures with the club until June 30, 2027.
Neuer is poised to celebrate his Bundesliga triumph for the 13th time in 15 seasons during Saturday’s match against Cologne at the Allianz Arena, although he will start the game on the bench.
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Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, has turned to Jonas Urbig over the last four Bundesliga matches, as the 22-year-old is seen as the future successor to Neuer. Neuer’s responsibilities will include mentoring Urbig.
“Manuel and Sven will continue to guide Jonas on his journey to becoming the future of FC Bayern,” said Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, in a statement.
Having joined the club from Schalke in 2011, Neuer expressed his happiness at securing his future.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” he stated on the club’s official website. “I took my time with this decision because it’s significant, not just for me, but for the club and the team. Now I feel assured it’s the right choice.”
Neuer, who earned 124 caps for Germany from 2009 to 2024, has appeared in 21 Bundesliga matches this season along with 11 in the Champions League, including both legs of Bayern’s semifinal loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
He remarked: “It really comes down to whether I’m meeting my own standards and demonstrating that in training every day. The key for me is being able to perform in training as I expect myself to.”
“I feel great. The big matches, like the away game in Madrid or certain moments in Leverkusen and against PSG in the second leg, have boosted my confidence further, which is why I’ve decided to continue for another year. I truly believe I can maintain my performance at this level.”
Having made 597 appearances for Bayern, Neuer has celebrated two Champions League victories during his 15 years at the club.
Although he retired from international play after Euro 2024, discussions are reportedly ongoing with Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann regarding a potential selection for this summer’s World Cup.
Regarding Neuer’s potential return to the national team, Kompany said: “My thoughts are always with the national team coach, who faces immense pressure in assembling the squad for the World Cup. It’s not my role as Bayern’s coach to comment right now. I prefer to let him [Nagelsmann] do his job without interference.”
On the subject of Neuer, Kompany added: “FC Bayern are the German champions, and we have the best German goalkeeper. That speaks volumes.”
Bayern clinched their 13th Bundesliga title in 14 seasons with four matches to spare.
Reported by PA and The Associated Press.