There is speculation about whether Manuel Neuer will return as the number one goalkeeper for the German national football team at the upcoming World Cup.
Former national team goalkeeper Jens Lehmann believes that if Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann decides to reinstate Neuer, it would constitute a «breach of trust.» Lehmann also suggested that other players might question the reliability of the national coach’s statements. «Can I believe the statements of the national coach?» Lehmann told Bild.
For some time, rumors have circulated that the starting goalkeeper for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada (June 11 to July 19) might not be the designated first-choice keeper, Oliver Baumann from TSG Hoffenheim, but rather Manuel Neuer, who had previously announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2024.
Nagelsmann had consistently emphasized that Baumann was the undisputed number one. However, on Saturday, the Bundestrainer remained non-committal when questioned about the goalkeeping situation on ZDF-Sportstudio.
Nagelsmann is scheduled to announce his squad for the World Cup next Thursday.
Lehmann emphasized that a goalkeeper doesn’t necessarily need absolute certainty to perform at the highest level. «He has to be able to withstand competition. But he needs – like any other player – clarity,» stated Lehmann, who was Germany’s starting keeper at the 2006 World Cup. He added, «I have to be able to rely on the coach.»