Manuel Neuer’s fierce criticism of Bayern Munich over goalkeeping coach

Manuel Neuer has given a controversial interview in which he was fiercely critical of Bayern Munich’s decision to fire goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic, who he enjoyed a close relationship with. He also spoke about the leg fracture he suffered while skiing and made it clear that his only objective at the moment is to get back to full fitness so that he can once again challenge for trophies with both Bayern and Germany.

“Tapalovic’s sacking really affected me a lot. The people in charge of the club told me. It came out of nowhere. For Toni too. I didn’t get it at all. It really floored me. Toni was always a team player, everyone saw him that way. For 11-and-a-half years, he didn’t just work to help me, but to help the entire group of goalkeepers, the coaching staff and the club. We were always able to separate our work life from our private life”, Neuer told The Athletic.

Neuer: “I felt like my heart was being ripped out”

The 37-year-old made his belief that Bayern had taken the wrong course of action crystal clear: “I felt as if I’d been kicked when I was already down. I felt like my heart was being ripped out. It was the most brutal thing I have experienced in my career. And I have experienced many things. I’m mentally tough but what happened now is on another level. Everyone within the group of goalkeepers fell apart. People began to cry. I think that says it all. The goalkeepers are a team within a team, but Toni was popular with the entire roster,” Neuer stressed, pointing the finger at the Bayern board, who will likely take disciplinary action against him.

Neuer sorry for skiing injury

On his injury, Neuer added: “I posted a picture in our WhatsApp group and apologised. I also called the people in charge, apologised and told them I was sorry. The Bayern bosses were in shock. At first, no one could say anything. Maybe that’s why they were a bit distant with me. I can understand it”.