Manuel Neuer reveals positive changes at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany

Bayern Munich started the new campaign on a good note with a comfortable 4-0 win against SSV Ulm on Friday. The Bavarian club booked their place in the next round of DFB Pokal by beating the second division side.

Vincent Kompany will be pleased with the way his team performed on Friday. After a trophyless season, the Bavarian faithful will hope to see such type of performances week in week out with the aim to regain the Bundesliga title and mount a proper challenge in the domestic cup competitions.

There is a lot of pressure on Kompany and Bayern to deliver success this season. The Belgian coach is looking to prove his mettle at the biggest stage. In an interview with TZ, club skipper Manuel Neuer spoke about the changes Kompany has made at Bayern since joining the club in the summer.

"We've already seen some of the ideas of the new coach on the pitch. We had good positioning and tried to keep the passing lanes short. We kept a clean sheet [against Ulm] and didn't concede chances. That's why I have a good feeling. Things have worked well in terms of communication, body language and defending overall."

- Manuel Neuer

Neuer also explained his role in the team and how the defense can line-up under Kompany. The German goalkeeper believes that flexibility will be key for him and the defenders to consistently keep clean sheets this season.

"I think we can be flexible in defense, we can play with three or four players at the back. Especially now that we have a more man-to-man approach, we will sometimes have the same numbers at the back as the opponent. And I will also have a slightly different role. I will have to stand higher up the pitch and run off the ball."

- Manuel Neuer

Neuer will be Bayern's number one next season. His international future doesn't have similar clarity as of now. The German national team sporting director, Rudi Voller told Sport1_Dopa (via iMiaSanMia) that a definite decision regarding Neuer's future at the international level will come before the squad is announced for next month's international break.

The interview with TZ suggest that Neuer is looking forward to the season under Kompany, and has no plans to hang up his boots at the club level anytime soon. However, the comment from Voller suggests that it may be different when it comes to the German national team.

Voller most certainly hints at a potential international retirement from Neuer, and it is certainly plausible. Having now played at a home tournament, there is nothing left for the legendary keeper to achieve for the national team.

Neuer won the World Cup in 2014 - and whilst he hasn't won a European Championships - he will be 42 by the time Euro 2028 comes along, so probably isn't realistic, even if goalkeepers play a bit longer.

If this is the case, he can put his full focus towards the task at hand at Bayern, as the team look to regain the Bundesliga title. Even at 38, he still has the sweeping capabilities to play in a team that maintain high line of defense.