As Manuel Neuer enters the final year in his contract with Bayern Munich, the 2024/25 campaign is widely rumoured to be the 38-year-old shot-stopper’s last for Die Roten.
This raises the question: What is next for “Manu”?
After a conversation with former club and international teammate, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Neuer dropped some hints as to where his future may lie in an interview with WELT Sport (as captured by @Plettigoal):
“If anything, the MLS would be an option. I spoke to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who played there, about it,” said Neuer.
Neuer seems open to make the switch to the MLS once his contract with Bayern concludes in 2025, however, one factor may cause him to balk at the opportunity to play in the United States.
“You have to think it through carefully. Also because they play a lot on artificial turf there, which is not ideal for a goalkeeper,” Neuer remarked.
Considering Neuer’s injury record and his age, artificial grass could be a serious factor steering the 11 time Bundesliga winner away.
Any Saudi Club hoping to jump at the opportunity to secure Neuer’s signature will have a mountain to climb with the Bayern captain largely unwilling to make the move to the Middle East.
“I have always had enquiries and offers. But I knew that FC Bayern was the best place for me because of the environment and the squad. Although you should never say never: I would not move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar,” said Neuer.
For now though, the Gelsenkirchen born goalkeeper remains a Bayern Munich player and will have his eyes fixed to the 2024/25 season in an attempt to recover the Bundesliga title for the first time in over a decade.
Where do you think Manuel Neuer will go after Bayern Munich? Is he MLS bound or will Saudi make him an offer he can’t refuse?
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s crushing 2-1 loss to Spain? We have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. We have takes on Julian Nagelsmann’s controversial starting XI, a rundown of the scoring and substitutions, and ideas on how this all fell apart in front of an absolutely electric crowd. You can get the podcast on Spotify or below: