Bayern Munich suffered an injury blow last week as Manuel Neuer came off at halftime against Werder Bremen due to a calf strain. He is expected to be on the sidelines for at least three weeks, missing the crucial Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund at the end of February.
The injury to Neuer will allow Urbig to strengthen his case to become Neuer’s long-term successor. The young goalkeeper has made a positive impression whenever he has started for Die Roten since arriving from FC Koln at the start of 2024.
Bayern chiefs rate Urbig highly and consider him the ideal fit for the long-term replacement of Neuer. However, the Bavarian club also has a very solid goalkeeper on their books in the form of Alexander Nubel. The former Schalke goalkeeper has been excelling during his loan stint at VfB Stuttgart over the last two seasons.
Nubel wants regular game time if he returns to Bayern, or else he will look for a transfer. With the club backing Urbig publicly, it does look like the end of the road for Nubel in the Bavarian colours. However, there is still a possibility of him staying, which depends on a big condition.
According to AZ, Nubel can still stay at Bayern if Neuer decides to hang up his boots at the end of the season. The 29-year-old goalkeeper is ready to compete with Urbig for the number one spot at Die Roten. Neuer’s retirement in the summer will play a key role in Nubel’s decision-making regarding his future. Nubel signed a new deal until 2029 two seasons ago, before extending his loan stay at Stuttgart for two more years.
Bayern open to offering a new deal to Manuel Neuer
Even though Neuer will turn 40 next month, he has not shown a steep decline and largely done a good job in the goal this season. Bayern are reportedly open to offering him another contract, but the final decision will rest on the veteran goalkeeper.
Neuer is firmly focusing on winning more silverware with Bayern. He has rebuffed reports suggesting that he will come out of retirement to play for Germany at the World Cup. Die Roten would ideally like him to stay as number two while Urbig or Nubel settle down as first choice goalkeeper at the club.
Bayern will get more clarity on the goalkeeping situation at the end of the season. For now, the attention shifts towards Urbig as he is expected to start against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Meanwhile, Nubel will look to end the season strongly with Stuttgart to make sure he has a chance to be part of Germany’s squad for the World Cup in the summer.