Manuel Neuer considering shocking Bayern Munich and quitting this summer
MANUEL NEUER is considering shocking Bayern Munich and quitting this summer over concerns that the squad is not strong enough to match his ambition, his agent has revealed.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed both domestic and European success at the Bundesliga giants but will look for another challenge if they do not invest.
The German international has spent the last eight years with the Bavarian side after signing from Schalke in 2011 and has made over 300 appearances.
In that time, the veteran keeper has won the Bundesliga seven times, the DFB-Pokal five times, and the Champions League in 2013.
However, Neuer was restricted to 38 appearances last season as Bayern narrowly edged Borussia Dortmund by two points in the league and crashed out of Europe to eventual winners Liverpool.
Niko Kovac's side have already allowed Mats Hummels to leave, while Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben departed at the expiry of their contracts last month.
"Manuel is success-oriented. My impression is that the gap to the top four English top teams is already serious and the Munich squad is currently not yet as competitive or set up to tackle Manuel's goals seriously.
"When he realises that Bayern are responding, then he will probably blossom again.
"He does not want to retire in 2021. Now he is in the phase in which he has to decide: how will things progress in the future?
"Signing a contract extension and ending his career at Bayern is of course the obvious option, but it's not the only one."
Neuer has come under fire for his sub-par performances for both club and country, but Kroth has insisted the shop-stopper is still at his best.
"Much has been said and interpreted against him," he added. "The bottom line was: 'He's 33 years old now and he's starting to break down'.
"Many have interpreted his achievements as having lost the extraordinary and invincible ability."