Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Wednesday, June 7, 2023
MUNICH – Germany coach Hansi Flick expects Manuel Neuer to make his comeback after injury playing at a top level, but stressed the Bayern Munich goalkeeper is not guaranteed a position in his starting team.
“I’m convinced that, once he’s fit, he will be back at his top level,” Flick told an interview to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published on Wednesday.
Neuer suffered a season-ending leg fracture in December during a skiing accident after the World Cup in Qatar.
Flick added, however, that Neuer won’t automatically regain his position as Germany’s number one.
“We will decide that once he’s ready. He has shaped the game for well over 10 years. He’s an exception as a goalkeeper, but also as a person,” the coach praised.
“But he must deliver good performances – and he knows that. In any case, we have the least problems at the goalkeeper position,” Flick said.
After Neuer’s injury, Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen took over as Germany’s number one.
