Bayern Munich urgently need Manuel Neuer’s leadership

Bayern Munich are enduring trying times. Inconsistent form, injuries and a managerial shake-up are all taking their toll. Now more than ever, Manuel Neuer must step-up and show why he wears the armband.

It’s somehow easy to simultaneously appreciate and take for granted what Bayern Munich had in terms of captaincy for so long given the recent drama at the club. For the longest time the German giants had arguably one of the greatest captains in the world: a leader of the highest order, much like other legends Gigi Buffon, Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas.

That man is, of course, Philipp Lahm. The former right-back was a calming and guiding presence for Bayern Munich both on-and-off the pitch. Aside from his obvious talent/status as at least one of the best right-backs to ever grace the pitch, he was also an exemplary role model.

However, that era is now in the past. Fans would think that, while Lahm can’t be replaced, Bayern Munich aren’t short of leaders. But it seems most of these figures have lost their motivation given the internal turmoil. The only one who seems to have retained that sense of urgency is Manuel Neuer. And unfortunately, he’s out for three months.

Trouble possibly brewing since last season

Manuel Neuer wasn’t born and raised in Bavaria, but he has a good chunk of experience there. Since developing at Schalke, Neuer has shaped into the world’s best goalkeeper for club and country. He’s also proved to be Lahm’s successor as captain for both Bayern Munich and Germany.

Much like Lahm, Neuer has clear leadership roles outside of his world-beating talent. The big German is a no-nonsense commanding presence on the pitch, who keeps his defense in line. Ironically, Bayern’s defense is the one area most lacking in discipline, despite some of the world’s best defenders forming the ranks.

Even outside of defense, otherwise top-class players are looking unmotivated. Against teams they should beat no problem — and against the ones they need to show their best to overcome — Bayern Munich have looked clueless. This becomes even more evident with the rumors that Carlo Ancelotti had lost the trust of at least five key players.

Dramatics like this usually aren’t an issue anymore with Bayern Munich; not for the past few decades. That Thomas Muller (Bayern poster-boy) is among the many disgruntled players is surprising to say the least. But it’s easy to see the root of his frustrations.

Muller’s problems with Carlo’s use of him have been over a year in the making. Despite this, those feelings shouldn’t be affecting any professional’s demeanor on the pitch. After all, no player is bigger than the club.

An enforcer off the pitch needed

Manuel Neuer, and Lahm before him, have shown that a few dips in form are no reason for leadership skills to fall too. Granted neither Lahm nor Neuer have often had a bad game, they’ve also never let any poor performance bring them down.

When Bayern saw foreshadowing trouble earlier this season, Neuer made sure to straighten everyone up upon his first return from injury.

After Lahm’s retirement, it seemed like all of these issues no longer had a regulating force. But perhaps Carlo’s actions stemmed from last season and Lahm just was able to keep everyone under control.

Manuel Neuer clearly demonstrates that he can be the firm hand that guides, but shock injuries have prevented that. With two three-month long injuries back-to-back, Bayern have been — and will be for the remainder of the year — without the one true leader they currently have.

Next: Carlo Ancelotti lost the trust of his players

This is what truly makes Manuel Neuer’s injury that much more painful to stomach. As if losing the world’s best goalkeeper wasn’t enough, the club lost their best leader. Upon Neuer’s return, his stern but confident brand of leadership will be surely welcomed — along with his clean-sheets. In the meantime, let this be a challenge for Bayern’s other top-players to step up and lead by example.