Bayern's Neuer Vows to Play On Beyond this Season

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he will not retire at season's end, despite stepping down from international football - AFP
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he will not retire at season's end, despite stepping down from international football - AFP
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Bayern's Neuer Vows to Play On Beyond this Season

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he will not retire at season's end, despite stepping down from international football - AFP
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he will not retire at season's end, despite stepping down from international football - AFP

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said Sunday he plans to play on beyond the current season, despite retiring from international football earlier this week.

Neuer's contract at Bayern runs until the end of the campaign.

In an interview with German sports magazine Kicker, Neuer said: "I'm not going into this season with the idea of saying goodbye afterwards...

"If we successfully complete the season with the new coaching team and with new momentum, that means I'll be having fun.

"And if it's fun, I'll definitely carry on."

According to AFP, the 38-year-old said Wednesday he felt capable of playing for Germany until the 2026 World Cup, but said he was stepping down to focus on Bayern.

"Of course there's a bit of sadness with the decision, but at the same time there's a lot of relief," the 2014 World Cup winner said.

Neuer said discussions about an extension at Bayern were "a long way off" but added "the time will come".

Goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel, who has a contract with Bayern until 2029 but is currently on loan at Stuttgart until 2026, is widely believed to be in line to replace Neuer in Munich.

Neuer joined Bayern from boyhood club Schalke in 2011 and has won 11 Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian side, along with the Champions League twice.

Bayern's Allianz Arena will host this season's Champions League final.

Neuer is the third 2014 World Cup winner to retire from Germany duty this summer, after Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller.

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan, who missed the 2014 World Cup through injury, also stepped down from international football this week.



Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
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Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)

Aston Villa must learn from Newcastle United's past struggles after their Champions League qualification and focus on closing the gap at the top of the Premier League standings, manager Unai Emery said ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal.

Villa started their league season with a 2-1 victory at West Ham United last weekend. They finished fourth last season, which means they will compete in the Champions League this year.

Newcastle secured a top-four finish two seasons ago, but the next year Eddie Howe´s squad slipped to seventh place and missed out on European competition, as Manchester United´s FA Cup victory secured the final European spot.

"Last year Newcastle were playing in the Champions League, two years ago they were in the top four, but they didn’t get it last year for different reasons," the Spaniard told reporters.

"We want to avoid some circumstances that could lead us the same way like Newcastle or other teams in the past."

The increased number of matches could impact Villa's performance in this campaign, and Emery said Villa aim to secure a European berth again this season.

"This is our challenge, to keep the same structure and idea, being strong to be a contender ourselves to be in the top seven, top five or top four," the Villa manager added.

"Because our objective of course is to be in Europe regularly, consistently, and if we are in the Champions League we can achieve our dreams again."