Bayern Munich secured the long-term future of their goalkeeping department by extending the contract of Alexander Nubel in March. The German goalkeeper will stay at Bayern until 2029, which suggests the club hierarchy considers him the long-term successor of Manuel Neuer.
Along with agreeing to a new contract at Bayern, Nubel also decided to spend the next two seasons on loan at VfB Stuttgart. The 27-year-old joined Stuttgart on loan last season, rejecting a Premier League move to stay in the Bundesliga.
It has been a productive loan spell for Nubel until now. He was one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga during the 2023/24 campaign. His performances in the goal helped Stuttgart to finish second in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League next season.
Courtesy of good performances for Stuttgart, Nubel has been included in Germany’s squad for the European Championship. While talking to the media on Wednesday (via iMiaSanMia), Nubel opened up about his future at Bayern and when he plans to return to Munich.
"I'm looking forward to next year in Stuttgart. Time will tell what happens after that. As long as Manu is there, it obviously makes no sense for me to return to Munich. Manu is definitely a role model for me. What he has achieved for Germany is unbelievable. Manu has taken goalkeeping to a new level. I'm happy to train with him here. Our relationship is collegial and friendly."Alexander Nubel
Bayern have the option to end Nubel’s loan at Stuttgart at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The Bavarian club will have a decision to make regarding Manuel Neuer next summer. The 38-year-old goalkeeper’s contract expires at the end of next season.
Nubel wants a fair opportunity to prove himself a capable candidate for Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper. He will return to Munich next summer if Neuer takes a back seat. Either Neuer retires from club football, or he becomes the deputy to Nubel. With Ulreich expected to retire at the end of next season, there will be a vacancy in the number two position in the goalkeeping department at Die Roten.
In an ideal scenario, Bayern have Neuer in the squad to mentor Nubel when he becomes the club’s number-one goalkeeper. It will entirely depend on Neuer if he wants to keep playing at the top level beyond next season. From Bayern’s perspective, they should look at the long-term picture and give Nubel an extended run in the starting XI.
For now, Nubel will look to perform well for Stuttgart next season. He will come up against the best teams in the Champions League while playing for Stuttgart. The European Championship will be a good experience for Nubel. If he performs well over the next couple of seasons, Nubel can also succeed Neuer at the international level and start the World Cup 2026 in the goal for Germany.