Julian Nagelsmann has pulled 40-year-old Manuel Neuer back into Germany's World Cup squad following the Bayern Munich captain's retirement after Euro 2024. The national team coach revealed at his squad announcement that recruiting Germany's three best goalkeepers was his priority, leading him to personally approach Neuer about a stunning return to international football.
The initiative came entirely from Nagelsmann's camp, not from Neuer himself. Discussions began in March after Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a fresh injury with FC Girona, creating uncertainty at the number-one position. "I didn't note the exact day, so I can't confirm," Nagelsmann explained, "But we informed Olli back in March that I'd met with Manuel after Marc ter Stegen's injury and briefed him on the situation, because Manu is an extremely deserving player." The final squad includes Oliver Baumann, who started all qualifying matches, Alexander Nübel, and Neuer.
Contract Extension Was the Deciding Factor
Nagelsmann identified a surprising prerequisite for Neuer's recall: contract clarity. The Bayern boss needed assurance that Neuer would continue playing at club level. "What is the situation with his contract? Is he even going to keep playing?" Nagelsmann said. Neuer only signed his contract extension with Bayern until 2027 last Friday—mere days before the squad announcement—giving the final decision an unexpectedly tight timeline.
Beyond performance metrics, Nagelsmann emphasised Neuer's intangible leadership qualities. "I don't possess what Manu has; even Olli has less of it. He has a huge number of titles, a certain aura, and a massive reputation," the manager noted. The Bayern captain's influence could prove invaluable to the squad even if injuries limit his availability. Neuer has already missed four matches this season with muscle injuries and came off in Saturday's 5-1 win over Köln with calf trouble.
Baumann, described as a world-class second-choice solution, initially struggled with the news. "Over the last four weeks, as this issue gained momentum, Olli has had a tough time," he admitted. However, the goalkeeper committed to supporting the team. Alexander Nübel remains third choice, while Jonas Urbig will serve as a training goalkeeper, allowing the squad to extend practice sessions beyond standard limits. As Nagelsmann prepares for the World Cup, balancing experience with proven depth will be crucial if injuries strike.
