Manuel Neuer’s future at Bayern Munich is uncertain as his contract expires at the season’s end. The 38-year-old goalkeeper has yet to finalize a new deal, creating ambiguity around his position at the Allianz Arena. However, Florian Plettenberg from Sky Germany reports that Bayern plans to keep Neuer until 2026, with Alexander Nübel being prepared as his eventual successor.
Reports from Germany and ESPN indicate that Bayern has no intention of pursuing Liverpool’s Alisson Becker as a replacement for Neuer. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Neuer, the club is focused on promoting from within, emphasizing their commitment to developing Nübel rather than seeking an external high-profile signing.
The next goalkeeper will face the challenge of succeeding one of Bayern’s greatest players. Since joining in 2011, Neuer has been pivotal to the club’s success, securing numerous titles, including multiple Bundesliga championships and a UEFA Champions League victory. With 529 appearances, his legacy as one of the world’s top goalkeepers is firmly established, making a quiet departure unlikely.
Meanwhile, Alisson Becker’s tenure at Liverpool may also be nearing its conclusion. The Brazilian, under contract until 2027, has been essential since arriving from AS Roma in 2018, playing a key role in the team’s Premier League and Champions League victories. However, Liverpool seems to be preparing for life without him, reportedly considering a sale in 2026, allowing for a transfer fee before his contract expires. To facilitate this transition, Liverpool has signed Giorgi Mamardashvili, a promising Georgian goalkeeper, who will learn from Alisson before stepping up in 2026.
Mamardashvili is expected to spend a season as Alisson’s backup, gaining experience to ensure a smooth transition when the time comes. His promising career thus far aligns with Liverpool’s forward-thinking strategy, aiming to maintain the high standards set by Alisson.
Both Bayern and Liverpool illustrate how top European clubs are managing the succession of long-serving players. Bayern’s choice to not chase Alisson, despite Neuer’s uncertain future, indicates confidence in Nübel. For Liverpool, the proactive acquisition of Mamardashvili demonstrates their intent to stay competitive as they plan for Alisson’s eventual departure.
Finding suitable replacements for key players like Neuer and Alisson is challenging. Neuer’s decade-long impact at Bayern and Alisson’s crucial role at Liverpool have significantly influenced their respective teams’ successes.
As Bayern addresses Neuer’s situation, their decision to promote Nübel signals trust in his abilities. Should Neuer extend his contract until 2026, it would provide Nübel more time to develop and prepare.
For Liverpool, signing Mamardashvili is a strategic move toward ensuring a seamless transition in goalkeeping. The plan to have him learn from Alisson for a year aims to maintain their high standards in goalkeeping as Alisson’s potential departure approaches.
In summary, the situations of Neuer and Alisson highlight the complexities of succession planning in football. Bayern is opting for internal promotion, while Liverpool is investing in young talent to secure their goalkeeping future.
