Alexander Nubel’s future hinges on Manuel Neuer’s at Bayern Munich

Even if he hasn’t covered himself in glory, Alexander Nubel is certainly benefiting from his starting role under Niko Kovac at AS Monaco. For him, a loan spell away from Bayern Munich to gain some valuable experience and playing time was vital since it was clear he wouldn’t be getting a lot of opportunities at Bayern behind Manuel Neuer. Nubel’s agent, Stefan Backs had made it very clear that priority number one for his client was to get a move away from Bayern since there was no way he’d be able to meet the 10-match clause stipulation in his Bayern contract when he joined from Schalke.

In a recent interview, Backs also said that Nubel’s potential future at Bayern hinges on what happens with Neuer. Bayern’s keeper is slated to sign another contract extension at some point in the not-so-distant future and he has made it clear that he has ambitions of retiring at Bayern. If that is to be the case, that wouldn’t be good for Nubel’s future if he wants it to be with Bayern, and Backs stressed they would have no issues looking elsewhere if that’s the case. “If Manuel extends and is still inviolable in two years at the age of 37, then we will find a solution. Then Alexander will take a different path. That is not a problem,” he said (Abendzeitung).

Neuer’s current contract runs through June 2023, which coincides with Nubel’s loan spell at Monaco ending. A lot can happen between now and then, especially with Neuer’s contract. He could very well agree on an extension with Bayern prior to that period, which would give Nubel a clear indication of what he needs to do with his own future. “2023 is still a long way off and a lot can happen in two years. In the end, those responsible at FC Bayern will decide who will be in goal beyond 2023. For me, the most important thing at the moment is that Alexander plays at a top club, as he does now , regularly performs and takes further steps in its development,” Backs explained.

From Bayern’s standpoint, if Neuer does sign an extension prior to 2023 and that signals to Nubel that he will have to find a long term solution, they will still need to make sure they have a viable backup keeper. For now, they have Sven Ulreich, but his contract expires next summer at Bayern. It’s unclear whether or not it’s realistic to expect an extension for him as well as Neuer.