Overview
- Manuel Neuer has said he will 'play the season' and will decide on retirement afterward, leaving his long-term future deliberately undecided.
- Head coach Vincent Kompany has publicly named Neuer Bayern’s undisputed first-choice keeper while saying young Jonas Urbig will receive playing minutes for development.
- Bayern used a 3-1 friendly win over RB Leipzig as part of their build-up to the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund and the Bundesliga opener, opportunities Kompany will use to manage minutes.
- The club has accelerated Urbig’s exposure with extra training and senior-game experience to prepare him as Neuer’s likely successor.
- Neuer’s unresolved contract beyond 2026/27 will determine the timing of a full handover and has implications for Bayern’s leadership and Germany’s goalkeeper pecking order.