Manuel Neuer Agent Opens a Can of Worms on Germany Return

For more than a year, German football has been learning how to live without Manuel Neuer. The legendary Bayern Munich goalkeeper officially retired from international duty in August 2024 after an astonishing 124 caps. But now, a year on, his name is back in the headlines—and not because of his club form in the Bundesliga. Instead, it’s because of a single, carefully chosen phrase from his agent, Thomas Kroth, that has reopened the debate about whether Neuer might yet return to the national team for one last World Cup.

Manuel Neuer’s Agent Opens Debate on Germany Return

Speaking to Frankfurter Rundschau, Kroth admitted that if he gave a definitive answer on Neuer’s future, he would be “opening a can of worms.” And with that comment, he did exactly that.

The agent’s suggestion that Neuer “won’t say no” if Julian Nagelsmann comes calling has lit a fire under German football’s biggest talking point: who will wear the No.1 shirt at the 2026 World Cup?

For years, this wasn’t even a question. Neuer was untouchable, the undisputed first choice for club and country, and the man who revolutionised the modern goalkeeping role. But things have changed. At 38, and with his international retirement seemingly settled, his career is in its twilight. Yet, as Kroth hinted, there is still plenty of fuel left in the tank.

“He’s in top shape and absolutely performing,” Kroth stressed. “If Nagelsmann sees a problem in that position, Manuel is healthy, and if he is asked, then he certainly won’t say no.”

A Goalkeeping Crisis in Germany

To understand why this matters, you need only look at Germany’s current situation. Marc-André ter Stegen, long considered Neuer’s natural successor, is sidelined with injury at Barcelona. His deputy, Oliver Baumann, has been drafted in, but even his most loyal supporters would admit he is a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.

Germany, meanwhile, are struggling on the pitch. In 2025 alone, Nagelsmann’s side have lost to Portugal, France, and most worryingly, Slovakia in the Nations League. Just two wins—against Italy and Northern Ireland—have done little to ease the pressure. Direct World Cup qualification is suddenly in doubt.

The cracks aren’t only technical; they’re cultural. The golden generation of 2014 has almost entirely disappeared, and with it, much of the leadership that once made Germany formidable. Neuer’s presence, even at 38, would instantly restore an aura that no other current German keeper can provide.

Neuer’s Legacy and the Pull of a Comeback

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final – FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Neuer

Neuer’s story is already one of legend. A World Cup winner, Champions League winner, and the face of Bayern Munich’s dominance, he isn’t just another player. He’s a symbol.

But symbols can be double-edged. His return would provide experience and reassurance, but it could also be seen as a step backward—proof that Germany are too dependent on their past glories rather than building something new.

For some fans, the idea of Neuer coming back feels like comfort food: safe, nostalgic, and reassuring. For others, it feels like stalling progress. After all, the whole point of his retirement was to allow a younger generation to take charge.

Julian Nagelsmann’s Dilemma

For Nagelsmann, the debate is far from theoretical. His Germany project has been under fire since the beginning of 2025, with critics claiming the team lacks both identity and leadership. He is caught between two options: stick with the transition plan and hope Ter Stegen recovers quickly, or take the pragmatic approach and bring back Neuer, whose form at Bayern shows little sign of fading.

In many ways, it mirrors a broader question facing German football: does the team double down on youth and risk more turbulence, or lean on experience to steady the ship?

Bayern First, Germany Later

Julian Nagelsmann Germany 2025

For now, Neuer remains fully focused on Bayern Munich. At club level, he has been a rock, and his performances show why Kroth was so confident about his physical condition. The demands of modern football make a dual workload tricky, but Neuer has managed it before.

The whispers, though, will only grow louder. If Germany stumble again in their Nations League campaign, or if Baumann fails to convince as a starter, the pressure on Nagelsmann to make the call will be immense.

A “Withdrawal from Withdrawal”?

The phrase might sound strange, but in football it happens more often than you think. Zinedine Zidane retired, came back, and led France to the 2006 World Cup final. Lionel Messi famously walked away from Argentina in 2016, only to return months later and lift the 2022 trophy. Even Germany have history here, with Lothar Matthäus extending his career longer than anyone expected in the 1990s.

Neuer wouldn’t be the first to “withdraw his withdrawal,” and given his stature, it wouldn’t even be controversial—provided he still delivers on the pitch.

What Happens Next?

Much depends on the next few months. If Ter Stegen regains fitness and reasserts himself as Barcelona’s No.1, Germany might not need Neuer. If not, Nagelsmann may have little choice.

Either way, Kroth’s comments have done more than “open a can of worms.” They’ve reignited a conversation that many thought was closed. And when it comes to Manuel Neuer, the conversation is never simple.

The big question is no longer whether he can play at the World Cup—it’s whether Germany can afford not to take him.