Bayern Keep Manuel Neuer as No.1 While Accelerating Jonas Urbig’s Rise

Club leaders say they will give Urbig more matches to prepare him as Neuer’s successor after publicly defending Neuer’s starting role.

Overview

Bayern officials reiterated on Sunday that Manuel Neuer remains the club’s first-choice goalkeeper after a recent mistake against Augsburg.
Sporting director Max Eberl, president Herbert Hainer, and coach Vincent Kompany all publicly backed Neuer and described a clear two-player hierarchy at the club.
The club confirmed it will increase Jonas Urbig’s playing time this season as part of a planned development pathway toward him becoming Bayern’s long-term No. 1.
Urbig has already earned appearances for the Germany national team and returned from the international window with positive reports from coaches and Bayern staff.
Media speculation that Neuer and backup Sven Ulreich could retire at the end of 2026/27 remains unconfirmed, and Bayern say such talk will not force an abrupt change in their timetable.