Former Austria goalkeeper and mental coach Helge Payer has joined the debate over Manuel Neuer’s poor Germany performances.
Neuer retired from the national team in 2022, but after a solid season for Bayern Munich he was recalled by Julian Nagelsmann.
That decision was particularly controversial, given the fact that Nagelsmann had called Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann his No.1 just months before the tournament.
Baumann has had to take an unexpected step back, and the issue has completely dominated the tournament build-up.
20-cap Payer, who is now a mental coach for goalkeepers, thinks it’s also impacted Neuer.
Neuer has lost his aura
“The discussion surrounding Baumann – it has so deeply affected his goalkeeping psychology, his mind, that he lacks charisma,” he told wettbasis.com.
“He seems very embarrassed. When asked about it, he smiles, which is completely inappropriate in that situation.”
Payer then moved onto Neuer’s performances.
“Neuer is trying to compensate, because he knows he’s not bringing that aura he’s always had onto the pitch.
“He’s now bearing the brunt of the dissatisfaction because everyone is looking for something minor.
“Something has been damaged, but not his aura or legendary status.
“No one will ever take that away from him; he changed goalkeeping like few before him.
“But the DFB did itself no favours with the way the nomination was handled.”
Neuer came in for particular criticism for Ecuador’s winner when a corner was flicked on and the ball was poked past him as he waited to collect it.
Payer isn’t on board.
“To condemn him now for this action, which doesn’t fit the context at all, is absolute nonsense,” he said.
“Manuel Neuer doesn’t deserve that. However, if he were to see the situation again now, he would do something differently.”
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