Carlo Ancelotti claims Giovanni Mauri is not at fault for Manuel Neuer’s re-injury

Carlo Ancelotti has come out and publicly defended Bayern Munich fitness coach Giovanni Mauri, affirming that he was not at fault in any way for Manuel Neuer suffering yet another broken metatarsal injury in the same foot as his initial injury. Neuer is now expected to be sidelined until at least January and it’s caused a bit of a strife between Bayern’s hierarchy and coaching staff.

Uli Hoeness expressed his frustrations earlier this week with Bayern’s medical staff, particularly Dr. Volker Braun. According to Bild, furthermore, it was Mauri’s decision to ‘release’ Neuer only 17 days after his foot was successfully operated on. Mauri may also have been involved in overseeing the timeline of Neuer’s rehabilitation. In retrospect, Neuer seems to have been rushed back too quickly.

Despite the obvious unrest from Hoeness, Ancelotti maintained at his pre-Wolfsburg press conference that Mauri was not at fault for Neuer reinjuring his foot. When asked about the situation, Ancelotti defended Mauri from what he feels is unjust criticism (via Goal.com):

When Manu began to play again, we thought it was the right time. It was very unfortunate, of course, because he's now out for three months. The only man who wasn't involved in the game was Giovanni Mauri. That's why it's unfair that he gets criticism. He's not at all responsible for Manuel's health.

Ancelotti went on to voice his praise for Mauri and reveal the success of Neuer’s operation that he underwent earlier this week:

In my opinion, Mauri is the best fitness coach in the world. I've seen him [Neuer] now. The operation went well and we expect him to return in January. At the moment, he needs rest and then we'll prepare together for the second half of the season.

Manu already in high spirits after his operation: