Goalkeeper debate at Bayern Munich ‘nice for us’: Vincent Kompany surprises with comments on Jonas Urbig and Manuel Neuer

Coach Vincent Kompany is surprisingly enjoying the goalkeeper “discussion” at Bayern Munich surrounding Jonas Urbig and Manuel Neuer.

Neuer's shocking and historic blunder against FC Augsburg has revived the debate over whether the veteran is past his peak and Urbig should take on a bigger role sooner than planned. Pundits have also repeatedly questioned whether the prospective number one is ready to fill such big shoes. Former goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn recently expressed similar doubts on the Sky programme "Triple - der Hagedorn-Fussballtalk".

At the press conference before Saturday's home game against RB Leipzig, Kompany declined to address their doubts about Urbig directly but offered a surprising assessment. "I can't assess every talk show. (…) We always have a plan and try to follow it through. It's good for us that Jonas is part of this discussion. We developed this situation ourselves," said the Belgian, stressing: "We said that when he came from Cologne in January two years ago".

Urbig's move from FC to Munich at the start of 2025 for a reported seven million euros had certainly raised eyebrows. Why would a young, talented goalkeeper sit on Bayern's bench when the end of Neuer's era was not yet in sight? The then 21-year-old had not even been a regular starter in Cologne.

Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich expected goalkeeper debate

"Back then, nobody believed it would be possible because he wasn't playing in Cologne and was the second-choice goalkeeper," Kompany explained. The Bayern coach stressed that the club had always believed in Urbig's development: "Then we let the situation develop step by step. We knew a year in advance that this discussion would come. That's a good thing, too." His comments amounted to praise for Urbig. Kompany reiterated that Bayern had a "good set-up" that "many would wish for".

Neuer deserves credit for that too, Kompany made clear: "Manuel is a huge part of this story. It doesn't work without Manu, without his presence, leadership and performances during this period." The two goalkeepers from different generations are also alternating this season. The 40-year-old, however, remains the undisputed number one, while Urbig plays regularly.

So far this season, Urbig has guarded the Munich goal three times, most recently in Neuer's absence during the disappointing 3-3 draw against Viking Stavanger in the Champions League. He may play again on Saturday, with Neuer still struggling with his foot injury and yet to return to the training pitch on Thursday. "I don't want to take on the role of a doctor," Kompany said. "It's in the foot, not the thigh or the shoulder. It won't take that long. Whether it's tomorrow or next week, we'll see. First he needs to feel better and train when he can, then this phase will be over again."

Will Manuel Neuer end his career in the summer?

Neuer has, meanwhile, suggested several times in recent weeks and months that he wants to end his career next summer. According to Kahn, he could have avoided the current discussion about him.

"I can't recommend anything to anyone; only the person themselves can decide. Things like: when do I stop, when do I retire? You spare yourself certain situations. Playing in the World Cup once more, which, to put it mildly, was not a great success," Bayern's former world-class goalkeeper said on the talk show, suggesting that Neuer perhaps should have called time on his career last summer. "When you reach 36, 37, 38, I experienced it myself, the body needs longer to recover. A mistake happens here and there. The mental side, constantly operating at 100 per cent. At some point you can't manage it any more, even if you want to. Then you become the subject of debate. And that debate, which has now arisen in the current situation, is something you can spare yourself."

Kann also warned Neuer that he might have missed the right moment to leave: "At some point you have to decide for yourself: what matters more to me now? Pursuing my passion for as long as possible, which I understand. Or retiring at the point when people are saying, he could carry on for another two or three years. And at some point, and I can slowly see it coming now, it's no longer his own decision, but the decision of others. And you don't need that in such a great career."