Bayern Munich president backtracks on threats of Germany boycott if Manuel Neuer is dropped

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has suggested he will not allow Germany to call up the club’s players in future if Manuel Neuer is dropped as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Neuer’s performances have come under increased scrutiny in recent months as a result of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s impressive form for Barcelona.

Is Neuer’s Germany place under threat? Five things to know…

• Once considered the world’s leading goalkeeper, Neuer’s reputation has taken a hit of late.
• The German’s performances at the 2018 World Cup were below par following an injury-hit campaign.
• What’s more, he has been involved in a war of words with his main competition, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
• Ter Stegen thinks he should be playing more often, but Neuer says it is not the Barcelona star’s place to decide.
• And now Uli Hoeness has threatened to prevent Germany from calling up Bayern players if Neuer is dropped.

Ter Stegen and Neuer have been involved in a war of words lately, with the Barcelona goalkeeper suggesting he should be playing more often.

Neuer has told Ter Stegen it is not his place to decide who should be starting between the sticks, though the respective form of the two goalkeepers has led to calls for the latter to become Germany’s number one.

However, Hoeness has made a threat to the German FA if they do decide to go with Ter Stegen over Neuer.

“Before that takes place, we won’t be sending any more national players,” Hoeness said.

“We will never accept that there will be a change here.”

Asked if he would consider meeting Germany manager Joachim Löw to discuss the situation, Hoeness added: “He’ll already hear what we’ve said, his ears will ring.”

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Hoeness’ office retracts comments

Hoeness’ comments game shortly after Bayern Munich’s 3-0 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade last Wednesday, but only surfaced this week due to Sport Bild’s publication dates.

In response to the release of the quotes, Hoeness’ office has released a new statement, telling Der Spiegel that the Bayern Munich president would not have said what he did in hindsight.

They said: “Immediately after our Champions League game against Belgrade Mr. Hoeness made statements concerning the discussions over the number 1 on the national team that he would not, in hindsight, make today.

“The matter has long since been settled for him, and there are no further statements of his concerning it.”