Cursed trip, struggles and Bayern's pettiness: This is how legendary goalkeeper recovered from hell

It's been almost nine months since Manuel Neuer's skiing accident. A long nine months. On 9 December 2022, Neuer suffered an open fracture of his shin and calf bone. The FC Bayern and German national team captain had gone skiing for a break following the disappointing and, for him, extremely depressing FIFA World Cup in Qatar. For Neuer, this ski trip was nothing unusual; he had crossed the Alps before. However, this excursion was a disaster and was highly criticized due to the poor snow conditions. Was Neuer truly acting recklessly? It's hard to say since he had hired a mountain guide to avoid risks. In the end, it didn't help. Season over! At least that was the prognosis. Neuer was even lucky, thanks to the quick response of the mountain rescue team, which prevented more serious consequences. Who knows what would have happened to the 37-year-old and his career otherwise.

The immediate operation for this complex fracture, carried out by top experts in the presence of the club doctor, went well. Neuer was already thinking about his comeback plans the day after the operation, aiming to return to the field as soon as possible. He discussed this with the club's officials and medical staff, setting well-calibrated short-term goals, which meant being patient and recuperating cautiously.

None of this would happen if the Germans stayed in Qatar! Neuer is out for the season with a leg fracture

In early January, the goalie was seen on crutches, posting an optimistic message on social media regarding his rehabilitation. However, on 23 January, a message took him entirely by surprise. Goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic, his best man and closest confidant, was asked to leave immediately. Why? It was reported that there were discrepancies between him and the then-head coach, Julian Nagelsmann. A farce that caught Neuer cold, causing considerable unrest at Bayern and was later identified as one of the reasons for the poor second half of the season. Even members of the Munich coaching staff were utterly bewildered and found it difficult to understand this decision at that time. Sven Ulreich, the current replacement for Neuer, also shared his surprise at Tapalovic's departure.

Neuer finally starts to train, debut date uncertain

What's also bewildering is a statement by sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, who, in January, left open the question of whether Neuer would be held financially responsible for his accident. It's shocking that they internally accused Neuer of putting the club in financial and sporting difficulties, leading to Bayern having to look for a replacement and sign Yann Sommer for around $10 million. Are they trying to attribute gross negligence to Neuer? Immersed in the recovery process, the captain noticed all these statements and assessments in the first few weeks after his surgery and was seething. But the former Bayern leadership didn't recognize this. Naively, they thought Neuer would just let it go and behave quietly in the background, even though he was constantly being blamed and his trusted coach was allowed to leave in his absence.

It became clear that the relationship between Neuer and Nagelsmann, and Neuer and parts of the club management at that time, was severely damaged. His trust was lost. Accordingly, Neuer's interviews with German and English media without Bayern's knowledge further aggravated the internal problems. Nevertheless, Neuer's health was improving. On 24 February, he was seen without crutches at a team event. Two weeks later, on 8 March, during the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain, he was in the stands as a spectator and looked in a good mood.

With a plan coordinated with the doctors, Neuer continued to work on his comeback: water exercises, gentle partial loads. If everything went as expected without complications, the goalkeeper could return between the posts in time for the 2023/24 season. This was his conviction, and things were looking perfect. When Thomas Tuchel replaced Nagelsmann on 23 March, the former Chelsea boss made it clear from the beginning that he counted on Neuer and needed him as a leader.

Even when the goalkeeper continued to work individually, he regularly exchanged ideas with the coach, who was also present at Sabener Strasse every day. Neuer appreciated these conversations, and he made progress. By the end of May, he was even ready to start some on-field sessions again. He decided two days before the final matchday to travel with the team to Cologne, believing in the championship and knowing that as captain, he would be able to lift the Bundesliga trophy. And as expected, Bayern became champions thanks to Dortmund's slip-up and Neuer was the first to get his hands on the silver "salad bowl". Two days later, on 29 May, his colleagues either went to their national teams or went on vacation. Neuer, on the other hand, had to have a screw removed as part of a routine procedure. Therefore, he could continue with his program after only a day of rest. His optimism remained intact, and he continued his rehabilitation even while on vacation in Costa Rica at the end of June and early July.

Back at Sabener Strasse for Bayern's training start, he began training with the team on 28 August. It was described as partially integrated. Even now, during the current international break, there is further progress: he trains with the team or individually, depending on the stress level. No one wants to provide an exact prognosis to avoid putting unneeded pressure on the captain.

The target for Neuer's comeback, as a two-time treble winner, is set for the end of September or early October. Neuer has not lacked optimism for nine months. However, there will be no rush this time, so close to the goal. Even if it takes until mid or late October for Bayern and Manuel Neuer, after more than ten months, only one thing counts: that, against the doubts of many, which already existed in 2019 when the deal with Alexander Nubel was negotiated, he will once again achieve success. And the accident and all its consequences will be a thing of the past.