The Injury Changes the Math
MUNICH — Manuel Neuer will spend another year at Bayern Munich, the club announced Friday, extending his stay to 15 seasons and keeping the 40-year-old goalkeeper as the team's first-choice captain.
Neuer has made 597 appearances for Bayern and is set to become only the fifth player in club history to reach the 600-match mark. He has remained the starter despite fitness issues this season and delivered several standout performances in the Champions League.
The Immediate Problem
The contract also means Neuer continues in an unusual dual role: mentoring Jonas Urbig, the backup now viewed as his long-term successor, while still competing for every start.
"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.
The Calendar Gets Tight
Sven Ulreich, Neuer's longtime understudy, signed on for another year as well. The announcements came ahead of Bayern's final Bundesliga home game of the season, Saturday against Cologne.
Neuer claimed his 13th German league title with Bayern a month ago. The team can add a domestic double by beating Stuttgart in the German Cup final on May 23.