Bayern Munich oversaw significant changes last summer. The biggest change in the squad was the departure of Thomas Müller. The German forward left Bayern after spending more than 20 years at the club. Die Roten believed that it was the right time to part ways with Müller.
Muller didn’t hang up his boots, but left Europe to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 36-year-old will certainly return to Bayern in some capacity once he retires from football.
The Bavarian faithful may have to witness another emotional departure at the end of the season. According to SportBild (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern believe that there is a chance of Manuel Neuer retiring at the end of the season.
The German goalkeeper’s contract at Die Roten will come to an end in the summer. Considering his performances this season, Bayern are open to offering him a new contract. However, everything depends on Neuer. He is expected to make a decision in April.
Neuer will be 40 later this month, so the retirement talk makes sense. However, he is not going through a sharp decline and can continue to play at the top level for one more season. The German goalkeeper retired from international football two years ago. Considering his form at the club level this season, there were suggestions of Neuer returning for the World Cup in the summer. Neuer has consistently denied these reports, as he remains focused on playing for Bayern.
From Neuer’s perspective, it does make sense to retire at the end of the current season. He has won every possible trophy in Munich. Vincent Kompany’s men have a great shot at winning a treble. If the team manages to achieve this feat, Neuer can end his time on the best possible note and allow Bayern to start the next season with a new number one.
Bayern may sign an experienced number two
Considering the faith club hierarchy has shown in Jonas Urbig, there is a slim possibility of Bayern signing a new number one in the summer. Urbig is the favourite to replace Neuer in the long run.
As per SportBild, Bayern could dip into the market to sign an experienced number two if Neuer decides to retire. The futures of Alexander Nubel and Daniel Peretz are expected to be sorted in the summer, with both goalkeepers expected to leave on permanent deals. The experienced number two can provide support to Urbig in training and step up in the cup games or when the former FC Koln goalkeeper has a dip in form.