Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is not concerned regarding the World Cup that his recalled goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss the national Cup final.
Bayern Munich’s Neuer, 40, is nursing a left calf muscle problem that will see him sidelined for Saturday night’s final against VfB Stuttgart.
The national team gathers on Wednesday to start preparations for the June 11-July 14 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team leaves for the US on June 2.
Nagelsmann said told DFB TV late Friday that Neuer’s absence on Saturday is “no problem whatsoever” for him and he praised the communication between Bayern and the national team.
Neuer rest good for him
“We discussed together what the pros and cons of this match are. Given the minor muscle tightness and injury, it’s better that he doesn’t play tomorrow,” he said.
“From the national team’s point of view, it’s good that he gets a few more days’ rest and can then start with us in top form.”
He said there would be no benefit if Neuer played a very good match, “and then he might not be fit for the national team.”
Neuer has been sidelined twice with left calf muscle problems earlier in the year. The latest injury started last weekend when he had to be substituted in the Bundesliga finale against Cologne and he has not trained since then.
Recall makes headlines
Despite the injuries Neuer is back in the national team after two years as part of the squad announced on Thursday and set to play his fifth World Cup and ninth major tournament.
He had originally retired from the team in 2024 after 124 caps over 15 years, highlighted by the 2014 World Cup title.
Nagelsmann came under criticism for the way he communicated the Neuer issue, first effectively promising Oliver Baumann, who played in allqualifiers and two March friendlies, number one status before eventually picking Neuer and making him first choice.
Hoeness names communication ‘not fair’
Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness joined the critics, telling Der Spiegel magazine it was a mistake to name Baumann number one so early.
“That was not OK, not fair,” he said.
Hoeness had said last week he felt sorry for Baumann but also backed Neuer’s nomination by naming him the best keeper in the country.
Hoeness named the German squad “good but not world class.”
Criticism on last line-ups and Kimmich role
He reiterated that Nagelsmann should have played the last matches with the same team “in order to form it into a unit” and said that like at Bayern Joshua Kimmich should play in midfield for Germany, and not as right back.
“I would certainly not waste Joshua’s talents there as a right back, as he has had an outstanding season in midfield for Bayern Munich.
“He cannot bring as much dynamism to the game or be the kind of leader he is at Bayern Munich – and the national team needs leaders.”
Germany have won the World Cup four times but went out in the group stage of the last two editions in 2018 and 2022. Their group stage opponents this time are debutants Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.