Lothar Matthaus believes Manuel Neuer is no longer acceptable as Bayern's captain.
Legendary German midfielder Lothar Matthaus has said Manuel Neuer no longer deserves to be captain of Bayern Munich following the recent heated relationship between the club and the player.
Matthaus represented Bayern for 12 seasons across two spells, winning 15 titles, including seven Bundesliga titles. The former World Cup winner, who is now a columnist, believes Neuer is no longer suitable for the role he once held for the Bavarians.
Neuer no longer acceptable
Neuer's relationship with the Bayern board fractured following an unauthorized skiing trip the goalkeeper embarked on after the World Cup that led to him breaking his leg.
Following the incident, Bayern fired longtime goalkeeping coach and Manuel Neuer friend Toni Tapalovic, much to Neuer's chagrin.
In an interview, Neuer expressed his dissatisfaction with the club's decision to terminate Toni, saying there was no justification for the termination that he understood or agreed with, and that the decision made him feel like his heart was being ripped out.
This led club legend Matthaus to question Neuer's role as club captain, saying the German would no longer be acceptable in the role.
"Manuel Neuer is no longer acceptable as Bayern captain," Mathaus said in his column for Sky Germany.
“He skied negligently and is now giving an unauthorized interview in which he vehemently attacks the club. Hadn't he said a few weeks ago that no one was above the club? And now this.
“Manuel Neuer is an icon of world football. One of the greatest and best players to ever play for FC Bayern and the German national team. I was the biggest fan you can imagine of the Neuer player. But it is his own fault that after the skiing accident and this interview, his monument was shaken vigorously.”
Bayern Munich signed Yann Sommer in the winter as a replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer.