Manuel Neuer plans to retire at the end of 2026-27 season
Bayern Munich icon Manuel Neuer has confirmed he expects to hang up his gloves when his current contract expires in 2027.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Manuel Neuer has revealed that the 2026-27 season will likely be his final campaign as a professional footballer. The 40-year-old Bayern Munich icon, who recently signed a one-year contract extension, used the club's pre-season camp to clarify his future intentions.
I don't play the matches just to say, 'This is my last game.' It doesn't matter whether this might have been my last time at one stadium or another – we'll see. It certainly looks very much as though I'm going to retire. Manuel Neuer
Despite his impending retirement, Neuer remains highly motivated, with his sights firmly fixed on winning a third Champions League title. Following last season's semi-final exit against PSG, the veteran remains convinced that the current squad has the potential to reach the pinnacle of European football before he calls time on his career.
As he focuses on his final years, Neuer is also embracing a mentorship role. The club is actively scouting for his successor, with young talent Jonas Urbig viewed as a potential long-term replacement. Neuer is working closely with the younger keepers to ensure a smooth transition for the club.
Since joining from Schalke 04 in 2011, Neuer has made 545 appearances for Bayern. He is widely credited with redefining the goalkeeping position, moving beyond traditional shot-stopping to act as an eleventh outfielder, a tactical shift that has influenced modern football globally.