Manuel Neuer signals retirement after 2026-27 season: 'It looks very much like I'll stop'

Announcement at Tegernsee

Manuel Neuer has signalled that the 2026-27 season will be his last. Speaking to reporters at Bayern Munich's training camp in Tegernsee on Tuesday, the 40-year-old goalkeeper said: "It looks very much like I'll stop." Neuer, who extended his contract until 2027 only in May, revealed he had come close to retiring after the previous campaign.

I would have stopped in maybe 85 percent of cases, but with this team and the staff and coaching team it's just fun. We always have the chance to play for all titles.

The club environment, he added, was among the 15 percent that convinced him to carry on.

A career of records

Neuer's 21st Bundesliga season will cap a career that has redefined goalkeeping. Since his top-flight debut in August 2006, he has made 545 league appearances, leaving him 12 short of Oliver Kahn's record of 557. His trophy cabinet includes 13 German championships, seven DFB-Pokal wins and two Champions League titles; the championship and cup tallies are both records. Between 2013 and 2020 he was named World Goalkeeper of the Year five times. He was also a central figure in Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph.

National team chapter closed

Neuer's international career ended after Germany's disappointing round-of-32 exit to Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup. He confirmed his retirement from the national team immediately after the tournament. The early elimination stung, but Neuer said returning to club football helped.

I think somehow you're also glad that it starts again and that you have new goals and can achieve a lot, also with the club.

Succession and the goalkeeper unit

Bayern have been preparing for the post-Neuer era by grooming 22-year-old Jonas Urbig. Neuer, however, does not expect a dramatic shift in playing time this season. "I think it will be similar to last season. We will support each other," he said, referring to a goalkeeper group that also includes veteran backup Sven Ulreich, who likewise extended his contract until 2027. Urbig had stepped in during Neuer's injury absence last term, but the captain indicated no formal agreement exists for increased minutes.

Pre-season and title ambitions

Bayern are training in Rottach-Egern with a squad reinforced by new signings Nathaniel Brown (from Eintracht Frankfurt for around €50 million) and Ismael Saibari (from PSV Eindhoven, for a similar fee, currently injured). The club is targeting another Bundesliga title, the DFB-Pokal and a deep Champions League run after reaching the semi-finals last season. Neuer, who produced a standout performance in the quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu last April, believes the squad has the quality to compete on all fronts.

I think we played a good season and we have the players in the team who have the possibility to beat everyone and achieve all goals.

The squad is gradually reassembling after the World Cup, with Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah and others already back, while Harry Kane and the French contingent are due later. A friendly against FC Rottach-Egern on Thursday will close the Tegernsee camp.