Opinion also approved by oliver kahn! I remember way back when manu was 'accused' of being too soft and he defended him. Then when he was superstrong he was accused of not wanting to give up his spot (yeah shocking?) They're lucky to still have him and now mentoring the young ones too. And he never even responded to the goalies who wanted him out because they said they were better. But when he was gone they couldn't claim that spot either so how true could it have been. Like you said he just wants peace
Hope she doesn't mind I dug around in her archive
https://www.tumblr.com/russellradio/91643177215/manuel-neuer-is-a-different-kind-of-goalkeeper-a?source=share
Getting a seal of approval from a Bayern legend is the ultimate honor omg š„¹
Itās like Manu canāt win. Heās either too soft, too sensitive, too humble, or heās too assertive, too egotistical, and too proud. Which one is it? In goalkeeping, as in every other position, the rules are fairly straightforward: the best plays. And for pretty much his entire career, thatās been Manu.
I donāt know how he managed it, but Iām so glad the media and the drama never truly got to him. And thatās the thing. He couldāve thrown a fit. He knows his voice has a power others donāt. He couldāve called out those goalkeepers for letting their egos get in the wayāfor venting to the press instead of coming to him directly. He knows heād be listened to if he did. But thatās not who Manu is. He doesnāt like conflict. Heāll address it internally if need be, but above all he wants peaceāharmony. Through all the drama, heās conducted himself in the same way he always has, staying calm and keeping his focus on looking after the team.
I donāt knowā¦I especially like what Kahn said about Manu being sensitive. After all, he and Oliver Kahn had such vastly different approaches to their role within the team. Oli, at least during his playing days, kind of reminds me of a Joshua Kimmich on steroids. For all of his merits, sensitive wasnāt exactly the first word youād use to describe him. His presence loomed larger than his height. His aggression intimidated the opposition. His passion was so intense that it galvanized his teammates. They rallied around him.
And then thereās Manu. His presence proves that you donāt need to be loud or aggressive to create fear. Heās so self-assured and calm in goal that you canāt help but second-guess yourself. After all, can you really score on someone who already seems so convinced heāll save it before you even fire off the shot? Whatās the point when heās so quick heāll get a glove to it anyway? And then thereās the person he is for his teammates. Heās vocal and communicative when necessary, but for the most part, heās calm, gentle, patient. Disarming even. Outside of pressure situations, he turns his keen read on people to his teammates, anticipating their needs and doing his part to meet them. Heās approachable, both as a goalkeeper-teammate and a captain. He really is sensitive; he doesnāt hide his empathy, care, or concern. And perhaps thatās one of his greatest gifts ā¤ļø
