Manuel Neuer: A trailblazer. A man who is revolutionising goalkeeping

”Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper I’ve played with;” Xabi Alonso

[APPRECIATION THREAD]

There are very few players that transcend a position in their sport. Players so great, that when you think of that position, their names automatically come up. Manuel Neuer is one of those people.

For 10+ years he has transcended goalkeeping, brought it to a level that has seen him, in many peoples eyes, as the undisputed king between the sticks. And why? What makes a player world class? I believe that to become world class, you are an influencer for a generation.

People look at how you play the sport, and emulate you. You become synonymous in your style. Manuel Neuer has taken the role of goalkeeping to a new level, and has influenced many goalkeepers of all levels to follow suit, and redefine the goalkeeper role.

Lev Yashin arguably was the last goalkeeper similar to Neuer. Someone that changed the perception of a goalkeeper, and took it to a level that influenced a generation thereafter.

Lev Yashin redefined goalkeeping at the time. Many argue that no goalkeeper since Yashin, was as complete a package as the former USSR number 1. Yashin was the very first goalkeeper who focused himself on being a vocal presence in his team.

He was constantly seen shouting orders at defenders, and imposing his authority on those around him. Nicknamed the “Black Panther” because of his tendency to wear all black, but also down to his natural athleticism, and superb reflexes.

For many people, Yashin was a trailblazer for goalkeeping, giving the position more vocalisation, and control over their defenders.

Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win a Ballon D’or. He kept more than 270 clean sheets, saving 151 penalty kicks.

Neuer has also reinvented the role of a goalkeeper, and inspired many to follow suit.

The German has now joined Iker Casillas and Gigi Buffon on becoming 5 times world goalkeeper of the year. To celebrate this feat, let us delve more into a true goat of the game, shall we?

Manuel Neuer was born a bit of a football freak. He owned his first football when he was 2 years old. Him and his brother Marcel would spend hours on the streets of Gelsenkirchen.

His brother Marcel is currently a referee in the Verbandsliga.

Growing up, Neuer could see Schalke’s old Parkstadion, from his bedroom window.

He signed up for Schalke’s ‘Bambinis’ club at 4 years old, initially as a striker, and just 24 days shy of his 5th birthday, he was put in goal, as he was the smallest player in the team.

“The coach put me in goal and back then we were playing on bone-hard ground,” he recalls. “Red ash, we even trained on black ash, which was worse.”

“For a long time I had to buy my own gear,” admitted Neuer, after his mother was always taking out her sewing kit for his clothes.

“I used to cry when I let in a goal. I always thought I was to blame because I was the last man,” Neuer admitted.

When Neuer was a youngster, he used to carry a Teddy around with him. I wonder where that bear is today

Neuer was a keen learner from an early age, an A-grade pupil at school, and a keen learner on the football field.

Neuer knew to study up on his hero Jens Lehmann. He would get to the ground early on matchdays to watch the former Germany number 1, during the warm-up.

“I always looked upto Jens” Neuer later admitted. “First of all he played for Schalke and I was always impressed by his way of playing and his Charisma”

“I used to come early to home games when I was little. He was innovative,

and did exercises during warm-ups I hadn’t seen anyone else do before” continued Manuel Neuer

It could have been Stuttgart who winded up with a future star had Neuer’s father, Peter, a policeman, not been transferred from the Stuttgart region to Gelsenkirchen before his birth.

It was at 11 years old when Manuel Neuer stood at the Parkstadion, watched on the giant screen how Lehmann saved a penalty as Schalke won the 1997 Uefa Cup.

The world might have been deprived of a true great however, because at 13 years old, he nearly quit football all together.

He was omitted from the regional Westfalen side for being too short. Although, Lothar Matuschak, the person responsible for all youth goalkeepers at Schalke, saw Neuer’s potential and asked the club to reconsider.

Matuschak had already seen enough to know they were making a huge mistake. “Don’t do it,” he said. “One day Manuel will be the best in the world”

What a shrewd prediction, luckily Schalke stuck with Manuel, and we are glad they did.

However, when Manuel Neuer joined the Schalke academy at 14 years old, Matuschak, was expecting a promising 14-year-old by the name of Manuel Neuer, but he didn’t expect the callow youth player-clutching a pair of gloves- that he got.

“I didn’t realise he was the goalkeeper they meant because he was so small and his voice so high,” recalls Matuschak “from a physical point of view, he was the opposite of a goalkeeper.”

One of Manuel Neuer’s traits is his excellent distribution, most notably his outrageous throw. This however is no fluke.

The Schalke youth teams, under the tutelage of Matuschak, train their goalkeepers throwing accuracy, by placing three small goals at the half way line.

Before he was known to the world, some Schalke supporters already saw the potential.

Neuer took part in a training session with some outfield players and impressed some supporters so much, they approached the young man and asked who he was, and for his autograph.

“I am Manuel Neuer, your third-choice goalkeeper,” said Neuer, straight faced as ever.

Manuel Neuer made his debut for Schalke at 20 years old. On the 19th August 2006, deputising for veteran Frank Rost. The rookie played a good game, of course keeping a clean sheet.

He made 19 clean sheets that first season, helping Schalke to finish Bundesliga runners-up.

In the same season, Neuer astounded everyone by making a 60m throw, to set up Peter Lovenkrands to score the winning goal in a game against Hertha Berlin.

A star was being born.

Neuer appeared to take this all in his stride. Within 8 months of his first game in Aachen, he went from the third goalkeeper, to the top choice, with the Schalke captain Ralf Fahrmann pushed down the goalkeeping pecking order.

“I was actually incredibly nervous,” stated Neuer

after making his top flight bow. “I guess I fooled everyone”

Since that game, and I’m just five years, Neuer morphed from a promising youngster, to bona fidelity world-beater. The 2007/8 season was one that made the football world stand up and take notice.

Proving Domestically and in Europe what a talent he was, most notably the Champions League Last 16 second leg in Porto. Neuer made a string of spectacular saves, raising more than a few eyebrows amongst the football world.

Manuel Neuer was called up to the Germany senior squad for their tour of Asia in May 2009. He made his debut in a friendly game vs Ivory Coast on 2 June.

Neuer was already a winner with Germany, having won the 2009 Euro u19 championships, winning 4-0 against England in the final

Neuer was elevated to second choice goalkeeper towards the end of 2009, in all be it, tragic circumstances.

The hugely saddening suicide of Robert Enke, an event that hit Neuer - and the whole German squad- very hard. The team dedicated their performances in the 2010 World Cup

To the former Hannover ‘keeper.

An injury to Rene Adler, before the World Cup, pushed Neuer to being the first choice for Germany in the maiden South African tournament.

Neuer only conceded one goal in the group stage, a goal against Serbia.

He made an assist for Miroslav Klose with a huge punt upfield, in the famous game against England.

The game is known for Frank Lampard’s “goal,” which was wrongfully ruled out. Manuel Neuer has since admitting to conning the referee during the incident.

“I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening. I realised it was over the line and I think the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee into thinking it was not over”

Neuer’s acting talents aren’t just confined to the football pitch.

In 2013 he voiced a character in the German version of Monsters University, and also appeared in a TV advert for a global soft drink, that spawned a social media fest.

“If I hadn’t made it in football? I did work experience in a rehab centre, so perhaps physiotherapist?”

In 2011 he announced that he would not be extending his contract with Schalke, and he would be leaving the club, that he had been with since he was five years old, marking a 20 year connection with the Royal Blues.

Neuer admitted that it had been “difficult to being booed by

your own family, as well as other fans”

At 25 he was already made captain of Schalke, and he admits it was a tough decision, almost fighting back tears in a press conference.

“It was not an easy decision; I needed time to make it” Neuer said, holding back tears.

The Germany number one had been linked to Manchester United, following his commanding display against the Old Trafford club, in a Champions League Semi Final game in 2011.

Asked whether he would consider moving abroad, Neuer was pretty adamant where he saw his future.

Asked on if he thought of leaving Germany to play abroad, he answered: “No, not really. I can go abroad twice a year, in my summer holidays and in my winter holidays. Do you have to play abroad as a footballer? Some players say so but I am not of that opinion”

It came to pass, that former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel wanted Manuel Neuer to replace Edwin Van Der Sar -another idol of Neuer- after the former Dutch international left Man United. Instead Alex Ferguson prompted for untried Spaniard, David De Gea.

Many Bayern Munich fans were against a pending Manuel Neuer transfer, holding up signs that said “Koan Neuer” - No Neuer- due to his ties with Schalke, and also pushing the then promising goalkeeper, Thomas Kraft, down the pecking order.

The protests luckily, were ignored.

Manuel Neuer officially joined Bayern Munich on July 1st 2011, signing a 5 year deal.

“I am really looking forward to this huge and exciting challenge at Bayern. Many of my international teammates, will be my teammates in Munich. Therefore I won’t be going into a new environment

and will certainly settle in very quickly”

However, it wasn’t the capture of Manuel Neuer, that former Schalke player Ivan Rakitic was congratulating Bayern Munich on, when he made the following statement in 2011:

”Bayern can congratulate themselves on a really great deal”

Any guesses?

It was Toni Tapalovic, very few Bayern fans knew of this man, but he is someone who was the key man behind Neuer becoming the player he is today.

During a champions league game vs Real Madrid in 2012, Neuer saved from Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neuer owes a lot to Toni for this moment.

”I always prepare myself for such situations,” admitted Neuer. “Our goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic, showed me on his laptop

before the match how Ronald usually takes his penalties. I learned how Ronaldo prefers to send the ball low to the left. In the penalty shootout, I was convinced that he would aim for his favourite spot”

2013 not only brought Neuer his first European silverware, but he was voted as the Fifa Worlds Best Goalkeeper, however, this was not to be his last, of either of these trophies.

Neuer’s biggest achievement came in 2014, when he was instrumental in Germany lifting the World Cup in Brazil.

Whilst Neuer was already known to everyone in the football world, this tournament was the moment that he was elevated even further, to legendary status.

Germany vs Algeria.

Not a fixture that normally jumps out at people, but this game brought Neuer’s full repertoire of skills, to the forefront.

Neuer made countless dashes outside his goal, to sweep up attacks, using every body part he could.

The sweeper keeper was born.

Neuer made his 22nd clean sheet for Germany in only 50 games, in Brazil. The 1-0 Quarter-final defeat of France.

Germany routed Brazil 7-1 in the semi final, and beat Argentina 1-0 in the final, to record a 4th World Cup victory. Neuer was not heavily tested in either of the

Last two games, but he made key interceptions against Higuain in the final.

Neuer finished the World Cup with 244 passes, two more than Messi on 242. Neuer earned the Golden Glove for the tournaments best goalkeeper. Arguably deserving of the best player overall, many argue.

Neuer’s achievements in Brazil earned him a 3rd place finish in the 2014 Ballon D’or. Many argue that Neuer’s performance that year, coupled with his countries success, made the case for him to be the first goalkeeper since Lev Yashin to win the award.

2016 brought another record for Manuel Neuer. During Euro 2016, Neuer did not concede a goal in three group games against Poland, Ukraine and Northern Ireland. He didn’t concede against Slovakia in the last 16 game either. He finally conceded against Italy in the last 8 game.

With this, Neuer set a new record by not conceding a goal in a major tournament for 557 minutes. The previous record of 481 minutes was set by fellow compatriot, and Bayern legend Sepp Maier.

During the Champions League campaign in 2016, Neuer made, for me, his best save.

Against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Theo Walcott looked certain to score, with a point blank header. But this was Manuel Neuer he was up against. The Bayern ‘keeper flung his hand at the effort, Walcott had already wheeled away to celebrate, and was visibly shocked he hadn’t

April 18th 2017 however, was a dark point for Neuer, and for Bayern.

During the second leg against Real Madrid, in a hugely controversial game, ending in a 4-2 defeat to the Spaniards. Neuer suffered a left foot fracture, keeping him out until the next season.

On July 2017, following Philipp Lahm’s retirement, Neuer was made captain of Bayern Munich. Neuer made his comeback on the second Bundesliga match day, also making his 100th European appearance in a 3-0 win over Anderlect. In September however, Neuer suffered a further setback.

It was announced that Neuer had suffered another fracture on his same foot, that would keep him out until January. He suffered a few setbacks in his recovery, meaning it wasn’t until April 20th when he played again, 7 months after the initial injury.

Despite these setbacks, Neuer was included in the World Cup squad for 2018, and given the number 1 slot by Low. Many people suggest that given Neuer’s playing time over the last year, that Ter Stegan had earned the right to start above the Bayern keeper, and would be much sharper

Manuel Neuer has faced many criticisms since Germany’s failure in Russia, up until the start of the 2019/20 season. Many people stating that Neuer was ‘past it’. Neuer’s saves-to-shots ratio after the World Cup dropped from 80% to 57%.

People were citing Manuel Neuer’s positioning and movement, stating that his timing was off when making decisions that used to come natural to the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper that won 4 consecutive Goalkeeper of the year awards from 2013-16, was under deep scrutiny.

Current Manager Hansi Flick has praised Neuer, since the start of the 2019/20 season, Neuer has been back to his absolute best

“Manuel is an insane professional,” said Flick. “Manu has been playing sensationally for over a year. He is in the form of his life.”

Manuel Neuer’s performances since last season have been reminiscent of the form he showed at his peak. He now stands just one clean sheet away from equalling the great Oliver Kahn. His performances over the last 18 months have given high praise throughout the game.

“If something goes wrong for him during the game, he can put it aside immediately. Analysis can wait.” Former Germany international Andreas Kopke said of Neuer. He also believes the Germany number 1 is one of the finest exponents, of nervenstarke- strength of nerve.