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
TT

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.



Logan Sargeant Crashes Heavily in Dutch Grand Prix Practice

 Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
TT

Logan Sargeant Crashes Heavily in Dutch Grand Prix Practice

 Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)

Logan Sargeant crashed heavily in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday, leaving his car on fire with severe damage and putting his participation in qualifying in doubt.

Sargeant seemed to lose control of his Williams after putting one wheel onto the wet grass on the entry to a right-hand corner, before veering off to the left and spinning into a metal barrier.

He walked away from the car as flames spread across the rear and smoke poured from the air intake.

The session, taking place in wet conditions, was red-flagged almost immediately before marshals extinguished the fire and loaded the car onto a truck.

It's the latest in a series of crashes for F1's only American driver. Sargeant crashed at the Canadian Grand Prix in June and collided with Kevin Magnussen at the Miami Grand Prix in May. He also crashed in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in April.

Sargeant is being replaced at Williams by Carlos Sainz Jr. for 2025.

Qualifying is later Saturday for the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.