There are no less than seven Bayern Munich goalkeepers on the books of the club at the moment, six of them are either in or around the first team. The seventh is current German international Alexander Nübel, who is currently on loan at VfB Stuttgart. The fact that so many keepers are vying to be between the sticks of the German record champions is part of a larger problem at the team, which we have addressed here several times in the past year and a half.
That is, the turnover on the board in recent years and the resulting power vacuum, have prevented the Bavarians from articulating a clear vision from the top of the organisation and will haunt them, sooner rather than later, if they are not addressed decisively.
The Seven Bayern Munich Goalkeepers
Meet the Keepers
Amongst the seven Bayern Munich goalkeepers, there is currently a clear number one, namely the team captain Manuel Neuer. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner is 38 years old and has recently signed yet another one-year contract extension with the Bavarians. Despite his amazing career with team and country, injuries and age have slowed him down.
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Then we have the goalie currently favoured to become Neuer’s successor, Jonas Urbig. The 21-year-old is a January signing for the club from 1. FC Cologne in Bundesliga 2.
While without a doubt a talented young shot topper, he lost his starting spot at the club from the Rhineland and is unproven at a high level. Entrusting him with the first-choice spot after Neuer retires, is a huge gamble by the club.
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Then there is Daniel Peretz, a 24-year-old Israeli international, who has stood in for Neuer a few times this season, with limited success. He is currently suffering from a long-term injury, a key reason why Urbig was brought in now. Peretz’s contract at the Allianz Arena goes until 2028, but he will likely be loaned out, if not sold in the summer.
Next, we have Max Schmitt, a reigning Under – 17 world champion with Germany who plays for the Bavarians’ reserve team, but has nonetheless made the first-team squad at times. He is 19 years of age.
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Another of the seven Bayern Munich goalkeepers is 17-year-old Leon Klanac a Under-18 German international. He too is a youngster who has made the first-team squad at times.
Next, there is the 36-year-old Sven Ulreich, a friend and loyal understudy to Neuer. His contract ends in the summer, but he is a respected member of the Bayern dressing room, who might even get an extension, should he want the one.
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As noted above, Nübel is the seventh of the bunch, currently on loan at Stuttgart. He was brought in as Neuer’s certain successor by former board members and largely forgotten by the club ever since. Nübel has had two senior caps for the German national team recently and has a contract at Bayern until 2029.
Total Chaos
The lack of a clear direction from the board of the Bavarians has brought them into this situation. There are seven Bayern Munich goalkeepers, and six of them are all very talented, but unlikely to be good enough to step into Manuel Neuer’s shoes permanently one day.
