Bayern waiting on Manuel Neuer to decide future, says Max Eberl

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said the club is in no rush to extend Manuel Neuer’s contract as the 39-year-old goalkeeper assesses his physical condition ahead of his 40th birthday. Neuer suffered a recurring calf injury during the 4-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach and was substituted at half-time after recently returning from a muscle fibre tear.

Eberl stressed the club will not impose a timetable on his recovery: "I don’t want to give a time to avoid building up pressure. He should cure it in peace." With the captain’s deal expiring this summer and no extension signed, the hierarchy plans to wait until the spring before entering definitive talks.

"We know what age Manu is. We have always said, now he should first turn 40 at the end of March. And then we will sit down in peace and talk," he added, noting the decision will be collaborative: "Then he has to tell us how he feels, what his mood is like. And we have to decide for ourselves how to proceed.

Germany, Munich

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