Fabio Capello has called for Manuel Neuer to retire after Bayern Munich‘s 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper, currently in his 14th season with Bayern, has faced criticism for his recent performances.
Bayern’s defeat on Wednesday evening at Camp Nou marked another difficult night for Neuer, whose errors contributed to poor defensive display, with Capello suggesting it may be time for the veteran shot-stopper to hang up his gloves.
Barcelona took an early lead through Raphinha before Harry Kane’s equalizer in the 18th minute offered Bayern a glimmer of hope.
However, the German side’s defensive fragility was exposed again as Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s advantage.
Raphinha, who terrorized Bayern’s backline all night, completed a hat trick to secure an emphatic win for the Catalan giants.
Neuer, in particular, endured a torrid evening. One of the match’s pivotal moments came in the 26th minute when the German goalkeeper hesitated with the ball inside his own six-yard box.
His error eventually led to Lewandowski’s simple finish into an empty net, putting Barcelona back in front.
Neuer’s indecision, combined with his struggles to command the game from the back, has raised fresh concerns about his form, particularly given his age and the pressure of maintaining his place in a highly competitive Bayern squad.
Capello, never one to mince his words, was blunt in his assessment of the Bayern goalkeeper’s performance.
Speaking on Sky Sport Italy’s coverage of the Champions League, the former England manager suggested that Neuer, who is in his 14th season with Bayern Munich, should consider retirement.
“When some goalkeepers reach a certain age, they should have the courage to retire,” Capello remarked, hinting that Neuer’s legendary career might be drawing to a close.
Neuer, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, revolutionized the role with his ‘sweeper-keeper’ style, helping Bayern Munich dominate German football and achieve European glory during his tenure.
However, as Capello implied, there comes a time when even the greats need to recognize their limitations, and Neuer’s recent performances have given his critics reason to speak out.
Lothar Matthäus, another footballing icon and a former Bayern Munich captain, echoed Capello’s sentiments.
Matthäus, who lifted the World Cup with Germany in 1990, has been one of Neuer’s more vocal critics in recent months.
He expressed concerns over the goalkeeper’s current form, suggesting that Neuer is no longer the dependable presence he once was for Bayern’s defense.
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In an interview with Bild, Matthäus did not hold back in his analysis:
“Manuel Neuer is not Manuel Neuer at the moment. Because he doesn’t save the unstoppable balls, his goalkeeping has changed.”
Matthäus went on to highlight Neuer’s declining influence over Bayern’s defensive stability, noting that the goalkeeper’s ability to read the game and anticipate attacks—qualities that once made him peerless—are no longer as sharp.
“He used to anticipate every situation, he had a 360-degree view, and he could initiate attacks with a build-up pass,” Matthäus explained. “At the moment, he can’t give the defense any security.”
Neuer’s struggles have been further underlined by his statistics in the Bundesliga this season, with a save rate of just over 40%, well below the standards expected of a top-level goalkeeper.
Matthäus admitted that while he does not wish to see Neuer’s decline, he hopes the German international can rediscover his form.
“I hope that he will soon find his way back to his old game and confidence,” he added.
As Bayern Munich continue their quest for silverware on both domestic and European fronts, Neuer’s future is now under intense scrutiny.
While his contributions to Bayern’s success over the past decade cannot be understated—winning multiple Bundesliga titles, DFB-Pokals, and a Champions League trophy—his current form raises questions about whether the time has come for a changing of the guard in Bayern’s goal.
For Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, the dilemma is clear: does he stick with a fading legend in the hopes of rediscovering past glories, or does he look to the future with a younger, more reliable option?
The stakes are high, and as Bayern look to regroup after their Barcelona defeat, the focus will inevitably shift to Neuer’s performances in the coming weeks.
For Manuel Neuer, a footballer synonymous with Bayern Munich’s success and one of the defining figures of modern goalkeeping, the twilight of his career could be approaching faster than anyone anticipated.
The calls for him to retire, spearheaded by Capello, may signal the beginning of the end for the German icon. Whether he heeds that advice remains to be seen, but the conversation around Neuer’s future has certainly intensified.
