Manuel Neuer has extended his Bayern Munich contract for another year, keeping the 40-year-old goalkeeping legend at the German champion as he mentors his long-term successor.
The veteran goalkeeper will head into his 15th season at Bayern and remains the captain and first-choice keeper after impressive performances in the Champions League despite fitness issues this season.
Career Milestone Approaching
Neuer has played 597 times for Bayern and is set to become the fifth player in club history to reach the 600 appearances mark.
Mentoring Next Generation
Backup Jonas Urbig is considered Neuer's long-term successor and has increasingly been given games this season. Neuer's role includes mentoring Urbig.
Neuer's long-time understudy Sven Ulreich has also signed on for another year.
"Manuel and Sven will continue to support Jonas on his path to becoming the future of FC Bayern," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said in a statement.
Season Finale Looms
The announcement came on Friday ahead of Bayern's last Bundesliga game of the season on Saturday at home to Cologne.
Neuer won his 13th German league title with Bayern a month ago and could make it a domestic double for the first time since 2020 if Bayern beats Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23.