Julian Nagelsmann commented on the current situation surrounding Manuel Neuer both before FC Bayern’s game at VfL Wolfsburg and after the game. Like Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic before him, the 35-year-old also criticized his captain’s actions: “I wouldn’t have given the interview, especially if it said that the club was the priority. It doesn’t help calm things down. It occupies the whole of football Germany.”
Nagelsmann made it clear that the release of goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic had already been discussed extensively internally: “Some time ago I had a good conversation with Manu in private, where we discussed many things. The way I chose not to make it public, to tell him the reasons why the breakup happened, was the right one in my opinion.
Even if Nagelsmann’s first public reaction to Neuer’s interview was very reserved, it is still evident that the Bayern coach keeps his distance from his goalkeeper. Nagelsmann will not approach Neuer: “You can always talk to me – but others are now responsible for the delivery”. According to their own statements, there has been no exchange between the two since the interview.
Particularly interesting: When Nagelsmann was asked about Neuer’s (sporting) future at FC Bayern, he deliberately avoided the questions. Above all, whether Neuer will remain the captain after his public criticism was left open: “Manu is injured. Manu has to get well. He’s not having an easy time because of the decision and because of the injury. I hope he gets well. Everything else is pie in the sky.”
As “Kicker” reports, the relationship between Nagelsmann and Neuer has been strained for some time. Reason: Joshua Kimmich should be Nagelsmann’s main contact person in the dressing room, the coach leaves his captain “outside”.
How does it go from here? As is well known, Neuer will be out until the summer. According to his own statements, the goalkeeper wants to continue working “professionally” with Nagelsmann. But one thing is clear: According to Nagelsmann, you can’t just leave the recent events as they are: “There needs to be a conversation,” said the coach.
This article was written by Vjeko Keskic
The original of this post “Nagelsmann’s troubled relationship with Neuer is also due to Kimmich” comes from fcbinside.de.
