Bayern Munich took a big step towards regaining the Bundesliga title on matchday 29 as they clinched a 5-0 win against St. Pauli, and Borussia Dortmund suffered a defeat. The win against St. Pauli also saw Manuel Neuer keep a clean sheet, rounding off a terrific week for the 40-year-old goalkeeper.
Earlier in the week, Neuer delivered his best performance of the season at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. The German goalkeeper made brilliant saves to ensure Bayern returned to Munich with a 2-1 lead in the tie.
Neuer has endured a difficult last couple of months due to a couple of irritating injuries. He completed his recovery during the international break and got fit in time for games against Real Madrid.
The veteran goalkeeper’s performance against Real Madrid led to calls from German media and pundits for his return to the national team. However, there were suggestions that Neuer’s relationship with Nagelsmann is not the best, which is potentially the reason behind his reluctance to come out of retirement.
Neuer has quickly squashed the suggestion of a rift with Nagelsmann. While talking to ZDF (via iMiaSanMia), Neuer insisted that he has a good relationship with the former Bayern coach. He once again reiterated his desire to stay focused on ending the season strongly with Bayern.
"That's simply not true. We talked back then at Bayern; he was my coach. I was also his goalkeeper at the Euros. We don't have a bad relationship. We have a good one. What's being said from the outside doesn't interest him or me. That's why we're relaxed about it."Manuel Neuer on Julian Nagelsmann
Neuer doing the right thing by not coming out of retirement for Germany
Despite the calls in the media, Manuel Neuer is doing the right thing by not doing a U-turn on his international retirement. He has not been part of Germany’s squad over the last 18 months and has been firmly focused on his club career. Nagelsmann and Germany have built a good core of the squad over this time frame that will be ready for the World Cup. It doesn’t make sense to make such a big change so late in their preparations.
Neuer ensured that retirement from international football to manage his workload as he gets older. This decision has certainly helped him to extend his club career.
There is a very good chance that Manuel Neuer is playing his final season with Bayern Munich. He has postponed a decision on his future. Bayern are open to offering him a new deal, but the final decision relies on Neuer. As things stand, it does look like a final decision from the 40-year-old will come at the end of the season.