Bayern Munich have announced at the same time that Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich have both extended their contracts until 2025 as both of their current deals were set to expire in the summer.
Both have been given one-year deals as it is a common policy at Bayern to only give one-year extensions to players over the age of 30. On the duo’s extensions, sporting director Christoph Freund said: “We are very happy to have Manuel and Sven with us beyond the current season. Together with Daniel Peretz, they form a goalkeeper team that is second to none. Their quality is sporty and human and their teamwork are extraordinary. Manuel is our captain and the best goalkeeper in the world for many years. He has taken the goalkeeper game to a new level and is in the tradition of the very big FC Bayern keepers such as Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn. Sven has impressively proven his class, not least during the past few months, when Manuel failed. In addition, with his quiet and open nature in the cabin, he is an important integrative factor.”
Neuer has recently returned from his broken leg and commented on his contract extension: “I am happy to stay with FC Bayern for another year. After my long injury, I fully attack again. I really enjoy being on the pitch with this team. I am convinced that together with the fans, we can achieve our big goals in the next few years – and of course this includes the Champions League Final 2025 in Munich. Knowing Sven further by my side makes it all the more beautiful.”
Neuer joined Bayern in 2011 from Schalke and has been undisputed number one ever since. During his time in Bavaria he has won everything on offer and during his prime was the best goalkeeper in the world.
While Neuer’s deputy Ulreich said: “When I came to FC Bayern from Stuttgart in 2015, I never thought I would stay here for so long. Now I have extended until 2025 and will continue to do my part to achieve our goals. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Manuel and also Daniel Peretz and our goalkeeper coach Michael Rechner. I have long been connected to Manuel much more than the passion for football, we are friends.”
What this means for Alexander Nübel and summer signing Daniel Peretz’s future is unknown. Nübel is likely to leave the club permanently in the summer as during his loan spell at VfB Stuttgart this season he has shown that he is capable of being a number one at a Bundesliga club. While Peretz has failed to really make an impact since joining in the summer and was not able to displace Ulreich as Neuer’s replacement during the latter’s time out injured.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
