MUNICH — Manuel Neuer will spend at least one more season as Bayern Munich's first-choice goalkeeper after the club activated a contract extension for the 40-year-old captain.
A decade and a half at the helm
Neuer joined Bayern 15 years ago and has since played 597 times for the club. He is now set to become the fifth player in Bayern history to reach 600 appearances. Despite dealing with fitness issues throughout the current campaign, he delivered several standout performances in the Champions League that reminded everyone why he remains the default selection between the posts.
The scoreboard made the point with less ceremony than everyone around it.
Mentoring the next generation
The contract news comes with a clear succession plan attached. Jonas Urbig, who has increasingly featured in league matches this season, is regarded as Neuer's long-term heir apparent. Club board member Max Eberl confirmed that both Neuer and longtime deputy Sven Ulreich have signed extensions specifically to continue guiding Urbig's development.
"Manuel and Sven will continue to support Jonas on his path to becoming the future of FC Bayern," Eberl said in a club statement.
The announcement arrived on Friday, a day before Bayern's final Bundesliga fixture of the season at home to Cologne.
Chasing a double
Neuer clinched his 13th German league title with Bayern a month ago. The club can add a domestic cup to that crown if it defeats Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23 — a feat that would give Neuer his first double since 2020.