As he approaches his 40th birthday, Manuel Neuer reflects on his illustrious career.
He even mentioned that he might have been able to play as an outfield player in Germany’s 3. Liga.
On March 27th, Neuer will celebrate his 40th birthday, making him the 10th goalkeeper in Bundesliga history to reach this age.
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Neuer is well-versed in playing from the back, showing a natural ease with the ball at his feet. He often positions himself on the halfway line, poised to capitalize on potential counter-attacks from opponents.
During an interview, it was shared that former Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola once entertained the idea of using Neuer in midfield!
The World Cup champion chuckled at the notion, but admitted he may have been capable of playing outfield—just not at the Bundesliga level.
“I could have played at a lower level,” Neuer remarked. “In a possession-oriented team in the third division, for instance, it would have been feasible. I might have lacked a bit in speed, but I could have performed well. Perhaps I could have been a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, akin to Javi Martinez.”
Could we see Neuer at MSV Duisburg someday?…
As he nears the end of his contract with Bayern this season, discussions naturally shifted to his potential successor. Currently, 22-year-old Jonas Urbig is seen as Neuer’s protégé, having made seven appearances across all competitions this season.
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No matter who ultimately takes over, Neuer offered some valuable advice:
“Stay open to new experiences. Focus on improving your weaknesses. Don’t think: ‘I only play with my right foot.’ In today’s game, you need to be proficient with both feet.”
With 540 Bundesliga matches and counting, Neuer’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Bayern and football history.
GGFN | Jamie Allen