Even injured, Manuel Neuer occupies the field ten days from PSG-Bayern.
Bavarian emblem since his arrival in 2011, the German goalkeeper allowed himself a media outing that his club obviously tasted little on Friday.
In an interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and the specialized site The Athletic, Neuer criticized without taking tweezers the dismissal of Toni Tapalovic, Bayern goalkeeper coach and his close friend within the Munich staff.
“It really touched me.
For me, it came out of nowhere.
For Toni too.
I didn't understand at all.
It really knocked me out.
(…) For me, it was a blow when I was already on the ground, railed the international, unavailable until the end of the season after fracturing his leg while skiing.
I felt like my heart was being ripped out, it's the most brutal thing I've experienced in my career.
And I really saw things.
People burst into tears.
It's a big disappointment.
»
Kahn promises to "speak very clearly with him"
Toni Tapalovic had to leave Bayern at the end of January after twelve years of good and loyal service.
The reason ?
He would have disclosed to certain players the content of private discussions of the staff of Julian Nagelsmann.
Manuel Neuer would be one of those, according to the German press, which adds that the goalkeeper would then have played the relay with other teammates.
“We want to be different at Bayern, we want to be a family.
But something has just happened that I had never seen, continues the guard, bitter.
It's a shame for everyone: for the club, for "Tapa", for the staff, for all the goalkeepers and therefore of course for me too.
»
After this bitter outing, the Bavarian club was quick to react, also through the media: "What Manuel says in certain parts of these two interviews does not correspond to him as captain, nor to the values of FC Bayern, Oliver Kahn, the club's general manager, told German news agency DPA.
Moreover, his statements are not timely, because we are on the eve of very important matches.
He is personally affected, it must be understood to some extent.
We were aware of this when we explained to him that this decision was the best for our team.
»
Nach Attacke-Interviews des verletzten Torwarts - Kahn watscht Neuer ab!
https://t.co/9p2QmEPBG1 #BILDSport
– BILD Sport (@BILD_Sport) February 3, 2023
If Kahn has promised to "speak very clearly" with Neuer, not sure that this exit will help the case of the 2014 world champion. Following his long injury, Bayern recruited Yann Sommer (34), who will be holder in goal against PSG in the knockout stages of the Champions League (go on February 14, return on March 8).
More than a luxury joker, the Swiss porter has signed up until the summer of 2025. After twelve brilliant seasons, Neuer, 37, could he have had his day in Bavaria?