MUNICH/Nigeria: Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has announced “clear talks” with Manuel Neuer after the team captain harshly criticised the club over the exit of goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic.
“What Manuel said in parts of these two interviews in connection with the release of Toni Tapalovic does justice neither to him as captain nor to the values of FC Bayern,” Kahn told dpa.
Neuer, who is sidelined for the rest of the season over a lower leg fracture, had lashed out at the club in an interview with German paper Süddeutsche Zeitung and The Athletic portal over the recent surprise dismissal of Tapalovic who had trained Neuer at Bayern since his arrival in 2011, and is his friend and best man.
“For me it was a blow when I was already lying on the ground. I felt like my heart was being ripped out, that was the most extreme thing I have experienced in my career,” Neuer said.
“We want to be different – a family – as Bayern Munich. And then something happens that I have never experienced here like this,” he added, naming the club decision “a mystery.”
The interviews came after tough weeks for Neuer: first Germany’s group stage elimination at the World Cup, followed by a skiing accident which led to the injury and for which he was criticised, the release of Tapalovic, and Bayern signing Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer who will not volunteer to play second fiddle once Neuer returns.
The “clear talks” Kahn announced with Neuer come at a bad time for Bayern as they have have seen their Bundesliga lead shrink to one point ahead of the weekend, and soon face Paris Saint-Germain led by Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi in the Champions League last 16.
“His statements come at an inopportune time because we are facing very important games,” Kahn said.
Asked about Neuer’s motives, former Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Kahn added: “He is personally affected, you have to understand that to a certain extent.
“We were also aware of that when we explained to him that the decision on the goalkeeper coach, which was not taken lightly, was the best thing for our team at that moment.
“I was faced with a similar situation as an international in 2004. Our goalkeeper coach Sepp Maier felt badly treated by the [German Football Federation] DFB and it came to a separation. I had worked with Sepp for years and we had a friendly and trusting relationship.
“I was also disappointed at the time, and I was angry with the DFB. But the common goals were in the foreground for me. They were more important to me than my personal feelings. And for that reason, I decided at the time not to speak out publicly. Manuel has now done the opposite.”
Neuer also insisted in the interview that he is far from finished and aims to return between the Germany and Bayern posts.
“I am still around even though some people may have the feeling they have had enough of the old guard,” he said.
“The best one wants to play. If I want to play I must be the best. If I don’t perform, I will vacate the post. But don’t expect that!”
