Manuel Neuer’s interview following the departure of goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic remains the talk of the day in the German football world. Now Lothar Matthäus and Huub Stevens have also criticized the 36-year-old goalkeeper. Who they believe has gone too far as captain.
In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Friday, Neuer made harsh accusations towards Bayern, which in January said goodbye to the man who had been by his side on the training field for years: Tapalovic. “For me it was a blow, while I was already on the ground,” said the goalkeeper, who is currently recovering from his skiing accident. “I felt like my heart had been ripped out. It was the cruelest thing I’ve experienced in my career.”
According to Manuel Neuer’s interview, there was no reason at all to say goodbye to Tapalovic after eleven years. Those statements did not go down well with the leadership of the German record champion. Directors Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic openly whistled the Bayern figurehead and there is now plenty of speculation in the German media about the consequences of Neuer’s peppery statements for his career at Bayern.
The backlash
Matthäus believes that the club should take the captain’s armband away from him. “Manuel Neuer is no longer tenable as captain of FC Bayern,” says the German record international in his column at Sky Deutschland. “First he comes with that negligent action while skiing and now he also gives an interview without permission in which he attacks the club. Had he not said a few weeks ago that no one is above the club. And now this.”
After his skiing accident, which put Neuer out for the rest of the season. Matthäus believes that a little more self-criticism would have been in order. “Neuer has done his club a very disservice,” said the former Bayern captain. “There’s nothing wrong with a small portion of selfishness and everyone is allowed to express their opinion, but the combination of a risky ski trip, an accident and an attack interview is an absolute no-go.”
Stevens also said in Sport1 talk show Doppelpass that Neuer has gone too far. “He should have solved this internally with those responsible. You can’t bring this out like that,” said the former trainer of Schalke 04, among others. “Of course we are happy that something is finally happening again at FC Hollywood. But no, You can’t do this, especially as a captain. He also serves as an example to young people.”
