The future of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the German national football team remains uncertain after eight major tournaments. DFB Sporting Director Rudi Völler has announced that a decision will be made soon, along with who will deliver the news.
In early July, just days before the European Championship quarter-final against Spain—which Germany ultimately lost, resulting in their elimination from the tournament—longtime national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had an interview with WELT. During the discussion, his future with the German Football Association (DFB) was a key topic.
When asked whether he would continue playing for the national team after the Euros, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper responded, “To be honest, I’m not really thinking about retiring. I believe it would hold me back and put pressure on me if I constantly reminded myself: Oh, this could be your last tournament,” said the 38-year-old. He added that there will come a time when he will think about it, “But not here and now.”
A few weeks later, Rudi Völler, DFB’s Sporting Director, has now announced that a decision regarding Neuer’s future with the national team will be made soon.
“He deserves to have the first say,” says Völler
“There will definitely be a decision about Manuel before the squad is announced, which will be in the week after next,” Völler stated on Sunday during Sport1’s “Doppelpass.” Völler also mentioned that Neuer will be the first to speak on the matter. The 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper deserves “to have the first say on how things will continue,” according to Völler.
Unlike Toni Kroos (34) and Thomas Müller (34), who announced their retirement from the DFB squad before and after the home Euros this summer, the 38-year-old Neuer has not yet made a decisive statement. Kroos ended his career, and Müller now only plays for Bayern Munich. Neuer’s contract with the Munich club runs until the end of June 2025.
On Sunday, Völler once again referred to Neuer as a “world-class” goalkeeper, but also mentioned his current deputy: Marc-André ter Stegen (32) of FC Barcelona. The DFB Sporting Director stated that the final decision lies with national coach Julian Nagelsmann, saying that this is “the power” of the coach. Immediately after Germany’s elimination from the Euros, the national coach had ruled out another major personnel overhaul.
First international matches in early September
Nagelsmann will assemble the national team on Monday, September 2, in Herzogenaurach, where the German team stayed and trained during the European Championship. The squad will be announced the week before, according to the DFB.
In the Nations League, the German team will face Euro group stage opponent Hungary in Düsseldorf on September 6. Three days later, they will play the top match of Group 3 against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the third group opponent.
