Bayern Munich consider Oliver Baumann and Loris Karius as Manuel Neuer successor plans take shape

Bayern Munich are preparing for life after Manuel Neuer, with the 40-year-old goalkeeper increasingly expected to end his professional career at the conclusion of the current season.

The club are understood to have identified Jonas Urbig as Neuer’s long-term successor, but Bayern’s hierarchy believe the young goalkeeper will need experienced competition and support. Several potential recruits are now being considered for the position.

According to German outlet Sky Sport, Bayern’s sporting department is increasingly convinced Neuer will draw the curtain on a 16-year spell at the club at the end of this season.

Neuer’s future has been further clouded by a fresh injury. He damaged the tendon in his right foot during Bayern’s match against Mainz and, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, is expected to be out until the end of 2026.

Despite the severity of the injury and his repeated fitness problems, Neuer is not planning to bring forward his retirement. He remains hopeful of recovering and returning to competitive football next year, with the intention of completing the season before making a final decision on his future.

Baumann leads Bayern’s shortlist

Bayern have already decided that Urbig is their preferred option to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the next phase. However, the German champions do not want to rely on him alone and are seeking a player capable of providing experience, reliability and strong internal competition.

Oliver Baumann, currently of Hoffenheim, is reportedly at the top of the list. Bayern’s sporting director is said to favour the goalkeeper because of his experience and qualities, which are considered suitable for a role alongside Urbig.

Bernd Leno of Fulham is also under consideration, while exclusive information reported by Sky says Loris Karius has recently been added to the club’s list of candidates.

Both Leno and Karius have experience of European football and could be considered for a reserve role, giving Bayern’s coaching staff dependable alternatives when required.

Karius, 33, currently plays for Schalke 04 and is in his third season with the club. He previously played for Liverpool before spending two seasons with Newcastle United.

Neuer injury raises retirement questions

Neuer’s recurring physical issues have intensified doubts about whether he can continue performing at the highest level. His latest setback is a partial tear to the tendon in his right foot and will keep him out for several months.

Speaking on Bild’s Reif ist live programme, Marcel Reif offered a stark assessment of the situation. He suggested that the recurrence of an injury in the same area could be a serious warning sign for the Bayern goalkeeper.

“If he has problems in the same place after 30 minutes in every match he returns to play, we have to admit that if this problem becomes chronic and continues to worsen, his professional career at this level may have reached its end,” Reif said.

German media are now describing Neuer’s situation as a dead end, with expectations growing that Bayern Munich may soon have to prepare to say goodbye to one of the greatest goalkeepers in the club’s history and in German football.