As reported by Kicker, Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has responded to Manuel Neuer’s criticism of the club and their management.
Khan’s statement comes after club captain Neuer made a series of eye-catching headlines in an interview published by Süddeutsche Zeitung and The Athletic. The 36-year-old was particularly angered by the sudden dismissal of goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalović.
The coach had been with Bayern for over a decade and had a close relationship with Neuer during that time. Tapalović himself appeared to take aim at the club’s current management during a social media post. On his official Instagram, Tapalović spoke about his shock and the out-of-the-blue decision. This was followed by images of himself with former managers, except for current head coach Julian Naglesmann.
In the interview, Neuer explains the Tapalović sacking as “the most blatant thing I’ve experienced in my career.”
This may tie into Alexander Nübel’s comments when he was linked with an early return to Bayern following Neuer’s leg injury. The 26-year-old made it clear that he would not return if Tapalović was still at the club.
Khan opened up about the situation by explaining: “He is personally affected, you have to understand that a bit. We were aware of that when we explained to him that the decision we made about the goalkeeping coach, which was not taken lightly, was what was best for our team at that moment.”
The former Bayern number one drew comparison’s in his career to Neuer’s current situation.
Khan recalls: “I faced a similar situation as a national team player in 2004. Our goalkeeper coach Sepp Maier felt badly treated by the DFB and they split up. I had worked with Sepp for years and we had a friendly and trusting relationship.”
He continued: “I was disappointed at the time too, and I was angry at the DFB. But the common goals were my top priority. They were more important to me than my personal feelings. And that’s why I decided at the time not to express myself publicly. Manuel has now done the opposite.”
What will come of these comments is uncertain. Neuer will always have a place at Bayern but comments like this could stop him from being the club’s number one when he returns.
GGFN | Jamie Allen
