Many people in the football world were shocked to find out that Bayern Munich’s star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer suffered a serious leg injury after a skiing accident. Not necessarily because skiers don’t get hurt, but because the parachute was even on the slopes.
Professional athletes tend to avoid certain dangerous activities, particularly in the middle of the season. Teams can even insert clauses into contracts that also prohibit things like skiing. However, Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn claimed Neuer knew he shouldn’t be on the mountain after Germany’s surprise exit from the World Cup.
Kahn: ‘Neuer never listens to anyone’
“Manuel decided to take a short break from the tournament,” Kahn explained to Russian media outlet RG. “He needed to rest after so much stress. Neuer is a big fan of alpine skiing and went to the slopes.
“I know that they warned him several times that there was very little snow, that stones were coming out everywhere and that it was dangerous to walk, but Neuer never listens to anyone. As a result, the rescuers took him off the mountain, transported him by helicopter to the hospital where he was operated on.
Bayern aim for a new goalkeeper after Neuer’s ski injury
The injury leaves the Bundesliga leaders short between the posts. 34-year veteran Sven Ulreich is now the most logical replacement for Neuer on the roster. However, Kahn admitted that the club will look for January additions.
“We lost our goalkeeper before the end of the season,” Kahn continued. “It’s terrible because he is one of the best in the world. A very serious loss for the team. But we believe that the recovery will go well and his return too, but for now we have to solve the problem of a replacement. But this is temporary. Manuel will return.
While Bayern will be targeting a new goalkeeper, it won’t be Croatian World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic. Kahn stated that his team should look at other options. “Livakovic is commendable,” Kahn said. “A goalkeeper like that should play for a top club. I have no doubt that this will be the case in the new season, but at the same time, he is not within the scope of our interests.
Bayern have time to find the right goalkeeper goal. The Bundesliga does not return to action until January 20.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ULMER Pressebildagentur
