News Focus
- Julian Nagelsmann will reportedly name Manuel Neuer as Germany’s first-choice keeper for the World Cup, going back on his word to Oliver Baumann.
- Baumann started every qualifier after Nagelsmann assured him in March that he would remain No. 1 even if Neuer returned.
- Neuer, 40, quit international duty after Euro 2024 but may reverse his decision if he stays fit during Bayern Munich’s clash with Köln this weekend.
- The move has drawn heavy criticism from Jens Lehmann, who calls it a “breach of trust”, though Matthias Sammer insists elite sport demands the best players.
- Nagelsmann will reveal his final squad on Thursday.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has sparked a major row after changing his mind about his World Cup goalkeeper. Reports claim he now plans to start Manuel Neuer at the tournament, even though he recently promised the position to Oliver Baumann.
Neuer stopped playing for the national team following Euro 2024. The Bayern Munich veteran wanted to focus on club football. However, the 40-year-old could now make a dramatic comeback. This depends on him avoiding injury during his club’s match against 1. FC Köln on Saturday.
The situation became complicated after Marc-André ter Stegen, the Barcelona keeper who was meant to replace Neuer, suffered another injury. Because of this, Baumann played every minute of the World Cup qualifying campaign. During the March international break, Nagelsmann told the Hoffenheim stopper that his status as first choice would not change.
But the coach has now gone back on that promise. He telephoned Baumann on Tuesday to inform him that Neuer would take the starting role. Although disappointed, the 35-year-old has accepted the decision and agreed to travel as backup.
The news has divided former Germany players. Jens Lehmann, who played for Arsenal and won the 2006 World Cup, told Bild that Nagelsmann has broken his players’ trust. “Other squad members may start asking if they can believe the coach’s promises,” he warned. Lehmann added that while competition is normal, players need clarity and honesty from their manager.
Lothar Matthäus agrees the sporting choice is fair, but he blames the German Football Association (DFB) for poor timing. “They should have spoken to Baumann months ago and been transparent,” he said. “They could have explained that Neuer might return if fit. That would have been honest and avoided these arguments.”
Matthias Sammer, however, fully supports the decision. Speaking to Sky, the former defender said high-performance sport is brutal and not a “leisure excursion”. He argued that Germany must pick their best available player, and he believes Neuer remains the top option.
“I do not feel sorry for Baumann,” Sammer stated. “With goalkeepers, there is even less room for rotation than outfield players. Germany must make the best decision, and right now that is Manuel Neuer.”
Nagelsmann will announce his complete World Cup squad on Thursday.