https://www.squawka.com/en/pep-guardiola-manuel-neuer-midfield-bayern-munich/?amp
Pep Guardiola genuinely attempted to play Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in midfield in a Bundesliga match, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Guardiola, 49, presided over three years at the Allianz Arena between 2013 and 2016, during which time he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles. Neuer played a key part of those successes between the sticks, though it is being claimed Guardiola felt he could be influential elsewhere.
Why would Pep try to play Neuer outfield? Five things to know…
Neuer initially signed up to Schalke’s youth academy (at a very young age) as a striker.
In 2011, he eventually left Schalke for Bayern, where he was Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper between 2013 and 2016.
The Germany international is renowned for his ball-playing ability, composure in possession and distribution; he has averaged 25.6 successful passes per 90 minutes in the Champions League since the start of the 2016/17 season.
Neuer is also considered modern football’s archetypal ‘sweeper-keeper’, willing to venture outside his box.
The most famous example of this notion came during Germany’s 2-1 win over Algeria at the 2014 World Cup (heatmap below), which they ultimately won.
Pep Guardiola genuinely attempted to play Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in midfield in a Bundesliga match, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Guardiola, 49, presided over three years at the Allianz Arena between 2013 and 2016, during which time he won three consecutive Bundesliga titles. Neuer played a key part of those successes between the sticks, though it is being claimed Guardiola felt he could be influential elsewhere.
Why would Pep try to play Neuer outfield? Five things to know…
Neuer initially signed up to Schalke’s youth academy (at a very young age) as a striker.
In 2011, he eventually left Schalke for Bayern, where he was Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper between 2013 and 2016.
The Germany international is renowned for his ball-playing ability, composure in possession and distribution; he has averaged 25.6 successful passes per 90 minutes in the Champions League since the start of the 2016/17 season.
Neuer is also considered modern football’s archetypal ‘sweeper-keeper’, willing to venture outside his box.
The most famous example of this notion came during Germany’s 2-1 win over Algeria at the 2014 World Cup (heatmap below), which they ultimately won.
Guardiola isn’t the only coach who feels Neuer can play midfield…
This is not the first time those close to Neuer have waxed lyrical about his ability to play further up the pitch.
In 2014, Germany boss Joachim Low made the claim that his No. 1 shot-stopper was so good from a technical standpoint that he could seamlessly slot into his midfield.
He said: “Manuel Neuer has the same technical skills as the others, he could play in the midfield, he also has great awareness and that’s why we are happy for him to take these risks, and that’s why he’s so valuable.
“He can basically be a player behind the defence.”
After years of struggling with injury problems following Guardiola’s departure, Neuer has re-established his position as Bayern’s first-choice ‘keeper, and his performances will go a long way to helping his side clinch an eighth successive Bundesliga title.
This is one of the closest title races in recent Bundesliga memory with just three points separating first from fourth, but Bayern currently lead the charge and are 4/9* favourites to bring up a record 30 German top-flight triumphs with William Hill.
