Bundesliga News

Oliver Kahn on Manuel Neuer's future:
'Goalkeepers can of course play into old age'

By Laura Brandt

Oliver Kahn basically believes it will be possible for Manuel Neuer to continue his career until his late 30s.
Oliver Kahn.
Oliver Kahn.Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bayern München boss Oliver Kahn says 'goalkeepers can of course play into old age' amid speculation that Manuel Neuer is demanding a new contract until 2025, at which point he would be 39 years old.


Speaking in an interview with Sport Bild, Kahn refused to comment on concrete details about the club's contract talks with Neuer, whose current deal runs until 2021.

But the 50-year-old, who was installed as a board member at Bayern in January, said he basically believes it's possible for Neuer to continue his career until his late 30s, although he underlined it requires hard work to stay sharp.

"In general, as I have shown myself, goalkeepers can of course play into old age, but maintaining a high level is a great challenge," Kahn said.

Kahn, who describes Neuer as an "identification figure at the at the club, who represents success and continuity", also reflected on the summer signing of Alexander Nübel from Schalke 04.

Nübel could potentially offer Neuer tough competition down the road, but Kahn doesn't believe the 23-year-old will be able to threaten the Bayern captain's place in the team right away.

"In Alexander Nübel, we get a highly talented goalkeeper, who has the chance to develop and learn behind Manuel Neuer. Not many have the opportunity to work with the best goalkeeper in the world every day," the former German international said.


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