- Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been with Bayern Munich since 2011, and has been their #1 keeper for most of his time there.
- However, Neuer will be 39 in March, so Munich is putting together a succession plan for that position.
- At the top of their wish list is Liverpool keeper Alisson.
Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer has had a spectacular career with the Bundesliga giants. He has won everything there is to win at Bayern, and continues to be one of the top keepers in the world.
But time waits for no one, and Neuer is going to 39 in March. Therefore, Bayern wants to start looking for his successor. Various outlets are reporting that Bayern are keeping an eye on Liverpool’s #1 keeper, Alisson.
Why Would Bayern Look to Replace Neuer?
This is not a matter of Neuer going somewhere else. The goalkeeper came up through the Schalke 04 academy and landed a big move to Bayern ahead of the 2011-12 season. Neuer has since helped Bayern win the Bundesliga 11 times, along with two Champions League titles (2012-13, 2019-20). With him between the sticks, Bayern will be popular among Champions League picks again this season.
Neuer has also helped Bayern win the FIFA Club World Cup twice (2013, 2020), and many other trophies. As an individual, the star has been named Germany’s Footballer of the Year twice (2011, 2014), and was the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season in 2019-20. On the international side, Neuer backstopped Germany to a World Cup victory in 2014, when he also won FIFA’s Golden Glove award.
So, why would Neuer leave Bayern? The Sun reports that it would actually be a concern of fitness and age.
Neuer has had various injuries over the last few seasons, including foot injuries in 2017 and 2018. He also missed almost a combined full year in 2022 and 2023 due to a lower-leg fracture. Neuer is still essential for Bayern.
In Bayern’s 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb in their first Champions League this season, Neuer had to leave with a thigh injury, and they conceded twice shortly afterward. Of course, they ended up with a big victory, but Bayern is just better with him playing, instead of Sven Ulreich.
Furthermore, Neuer will be 39 in March, and while keepers can play for a long time, he is closer to the end of his career than the start.
Would Alisson Be a Good Replacement for Neuer?
Alisson would be a fantastic substitute for Neuer at Bayern. He has been one of Liverpool’s pillars during the successful Jürgen Klopp era. Liverpool won the Premier League in 2019-2020, and the Champions League in 2018-19, with Alisson between the sticks.
The Brazilian is excellent with the ball at his feet, which is how most teams prefer their keeper to play now. But he is also a terrific shot-stopper and marshals his back line brilliantly.
Liverpool has also started looking at a life without Alisson. They signed Giorgi Mamardashvili in the summer, and then loaned him back out to Valencia, who sold him to Liverpool. Alisson just turned 32, so he has a lot of time left. If he feels disrespected that Liverpool have already brought in his replacement, he could absolutely leave for Bayern for the chance to win more trophies.
