LOTHAR MATTHAUS HAS accused Manuel Neuer of unacceptable behaviour following comments made by the goalkeeper’s agent over his future at Bayern Munich.
Neuer has been first choice at Bayern when fit but is said to be considering a move away from the Allianz Arena, citing what he perceives to be a lack of ambition shown by the German giants in the transfer market.
The player’s agent, Thomas Kroth, told Suddeutsche Zeitung that Bayern have fallen too far behind their major European rivals and the 33-year-old may have to join a new team if he is to win the Champions League for a second time in his career.
“He wants to win Euro 2020 and he wants to win the Champions League again. Manuel is success-oriented,” Kroth said.
“My impression is that the gap to the top four English top teams is already serious and the Munich squad is currently not yet as competitive or set up to tackle Manuel’s goals seriously. When he realises that Bayern are responding, then he will probably blossom again.”
But those comments have not gone down well with club legend Matthaus, who feels the Bayern skipper should have discussed the matter privately rather than let his representative speak to the media.
“His behaviour is totally unacceptable,” Matthaus told Bild. “As the captain of Bayern he should speak to the club if he has a problem with the situation over signings. The doors of the management are always open.
“I know his agent — he’s someone who doesn’t usually show up in public of his own free will. Manuel will have agreed with him. My representatives would not have been able to express themselves in this way without my consent.”
Neuer has faced criticism in some quarters for a number of sub-par performances for Germany and Bayern over the last year, but Kroth is not concerned about his form, inisisting he is still at his best.
“Much has been said and interpreted against him,” Kroth added. “The bottom line was: ’He’s 33 years old now and he’s starting to break down’. Many have interpreted his achievements as having lost the extraordinary and invincible ability.”
Bayern begin their 2019-20 season preparations with a friendly against Arsenal on 17 July in California.
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