Manuel Neuer's Retirement Looms: Could Oliver Baumann Become Backup to Jonas Urbig at Bayern Munich?

FC Bayern Munich is reportedly making concrete plans for the post-Manuel Neuer era, with Oliver Baumann apparently emerging as a potential candidate, according to media reports.

Sources indicate that Bayern officials are already evaluating various options should Manuel Neuer, who celebrates his 40th birthday this Friday, decide to retire. One potential internal solution is Jonas Urbig, who recently sustained an injury while with the national team; he is seen as a strong candidate to be developed into the new number one. However, Munich is also actively seeking an experienced goalkeeper to complement this strategy, and Oliver Baumann has reportedly caught their attention.

The TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper is not new to Bayern's radar. Reports suggest Baumann was previously considered by the club and had expressed willingness to join the record champions as a backup at that time.

However, Baumann's standing has significantly evolved since then. He has become a fixture in the German national squad, establishing himself as a reliable option. Should Marc-André ter Stegen not make a miraculous recovery, Baumann is expected to guard the German goal at the upcoming World Cup.

Bayern Munich: Would Oliver Baumann Voluntarily Accept a Secondary Role?

This raises the question of whether a goalkeeper of his current stature would genuinely accept a secondary role at FC Bayern. According to reports, this scenario isn't out of the question, especially if Hoffenheim fails to qualify for the Champions League and if future changes occur within the national team setup.

Meanwhile, Neuer's future remains uncertain. The Bayern captain is working towards a comeback following a calf injury and is deliberately taking his time to make a decision. There's no set deadline; his primary consideration, according to sources, is whether his body can sustain another season at the highest level.

One thing is clear: FC Bayern is laying the groundwork for its future. And Oliver Baumann, despite his enhanced role in the national team, could emerge as a surprising option for an experienced backup.

FC Bayern Contracts Expiring in 2026

Player	Position	Age
Manuel Neuer	Goalkeeper	39 Years
Sven Ulreich	Goalkeeper	37 Years
Raphael Guerreiro	Defense	32 Years
Leon Goretzka	Midfield	31 Years