Christoph Freund echoes Uli Uli Hoeneß, would be pleased for Manuel Neuer to stay another year at Bayern Munich

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 15: Manuel Neuer of Munich looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images A final decision still has not yet been made and officially announced by either Manuel Neuer or Bayern Munich. The veteran keeper is taking his time to decide whether or not he will extend his contract for another year with the German Rekordmeister , or wind up leaving this summer.

Earlier this year, it was understood that he was going to have sat down and discussed his plan with the club’s front office by the time he turned 40 in March, but he’s wanted to take a bit more time to decide what’s best for both him, and the club. It’s also likely that he does not want to take momentum or attention away from how good the team has been performing as they still push to try to secure a treble – any off-pitch distraction is something he probably wants to avoid contributing to. Former club president Uli Hoeneß recently expressed his desire to stay at Bayern for another year and sporting director Christoph Freund shared that sentiment.

They both feel him staying for another year would be highly beneficial for Jonas Urbig, who has been Neuer’s understudy since joining from FC Köln in January of 2025. “We’ve spoken often about Manu’s situation and that it’s down to Manu. He will decide.

Right now he’s fit and performing really well. We’ve said we’d like him to stay on for another year, also as a leader. We’re in a very good place with our goalkeepers in general, so we’re relaxed,” Freund explained (via @iMiaSanMia ).