After a successful loan spell with VfB Stuttgart, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Alexander Nubel faced disappointment last week with the national team. The 27-year-old goalkeeper was not included in Germany's final squad for the Euros. Julian Nagelsmann wanted an extra body in the attack due to fitness concerns of Leroy Sane, which forced him to cut Nubel out of the squad.
Nubel was one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga. His performances helped Stuttgart to finish second in the Bundesliga and clinch Champions League qualification for next season. He deserved the call-up to the preliminary squad for the Euros.
The 27-year-old will bounce back strongly from the latest dose of disappointment. The good performances with Stuttgart earned Nubel a contract extension at Bayern. Nubel signed a new deal until 2029 and agreed to spend the next two seasons on loan at Stuttgart. Bayern reportedly have the option of recalling Nubel midway through the loan deal.
Since signing for Bayern in 2020, Nubel is yet to get a long run in the starting XI. Manuel Neuer continues to defy age and deliver world-class performances. Nubel had to spend the first season in Munich on the bench before going out on loan to Monaco for two years. Despite a lack of opportunities at Bayern until now, Nubel told T-online last week that he had no regret about joining the club after leaving Schalke.
"It wasn't a mistake. People may say it was a lost year and I had no business being there. But being able to train at that level helped me progress. It doesn't matter which Bundesliga team you move from to FC Bayern as a goalkeeper, you definitely make a leap forward. I needed time to adjust. But this time also made me the goalkeeper I am today."Alexander Nubel
Nubel had a productive loan spell at Monaco. Bayern considered recalling him in 2023 when Neuer had suffered a serious leg injury. Nubel wanted to complete his loan deal with the French club, which forced Bayern to sign Yann Sommer.
The 27-year-old looked certain to leave Bayern last summer since there was no vacancy in the starting XI. Die Roten eventually agreed to a loan deal with Stuttgart, which turned out to be the best move for all parties. The German goalkeeper had rejected offers from the Premier League to join Stuttgart.
Bayern consider Nubel as the front-runner to replace Neuer in the starting XI. Neuer has signed a contract extension until 2025. It could be the last deal for the 38-year-old goalkeeper at Die Roten. Nubel is likely to get the much-awaited extended run in the starting XI once Neuer’s contract comes to an end.
For now, Nubel will look to put the Euros disappointment behind him and excel for Stuttgart next season. He will get the chance to play big European games with Stuttgart, which will be a great learning curve for him. If Nubel continues to get better as he has done in the last three years, a big tournament with Germany is not far for him.