Sven Ulreich speaks on role as reserve goalkeeper

Admin I Tuesday, Jan. 02, 2024

 

MUNICH – Sven Ulreich is content with his role as Bayern Munich reserve goalkeeper behind Manuel Neuer and sees it as a privilege.

Ulreich, 35, has been at the Bundesliga champions since 2015, with the exception of one year when he played at SV Hamburg. He renewed his contract until 2025 in November, and so did Neuer.

“I see it as a privilege to be able to work here as a number two,” Ulreich told the club website in an interview.

The former VfB Stuttgart man played most of the 2017-18 season when Neuer was sidelined with a foot injury, and also deputized this term until Neuer returned in late October from a leg fracture.

“When you’re so in the game, when it’s going well, then of course it’s not easy at first to sit on the bench again. However, I know what my role is here at FC Bayern,” Ulreich said.

“I was also really happy when Manu was back. It was always clear to me that I would help him in training to have a good comeback. We work as a team.”

“In a team it’s also crucial to know your place. We have a clear hierarchy, Manu is the number one. But he knows he has to give 100% in every training session because he’s challenged by Daniel Peretz and me. He also needs that to achieve the maximum.”

Ulreich admitted that being number two didn’t fit his original career plan when he arrived nine years ago but then saw in the offer a great chance for me to progress.

“Through working with Manu and this world-class team on a daily basis, I’ve been able to learn a great deal. I was aware that some people maybe didn’t understand that, but for me it was a step forward,” he said.