Felix Magath Admits Defeat In Manuel Neuer Contract Battle

Schalke’s struggles on and off the pitch have been well documented and roundly criticized, and it seems things are only going to get worse for the konigsblauen. Speaking to Bild, Felix Magath admitted that Schalke may not be able to hold onto Manuel Neuer and other players due to the club’s financial situation and their poor league form.

Schalke have collected just nine points from their first eleven Bundesliga matches, and that’s far from good enough for a side who did so well last season. With European competition looking more like a hope than an expectation at this point, some of the team’s bigger players may be looking to move on at the end of the season.

One of those players is Germany’s number one goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. The young shot-stopper’s contract is set to run out in 2012, and with Schalke experiencing so many financial problems, they may not have the cash needed to support the player’s demands. Also, without European football, the side’s quality players will most likely be looking to move to ensure that they’re playing at the highest level every season.

“Of course I do not trust entirely that I will be able to keep Manuel Neuer and all the other players. Although the situation is somewhat more difficult with less revenue, we have created the conditions to become champions in years to come.”

The last thing Magath needs is to lose the core of his already fading side. Last season, key players were moved on because of financial instability, and their replacements have shown themselves to be unable to match their predecessors’ performances. If a player as important as Manuel Neuer was sold, it’d be near impossible to replace him. He’s Schalke through and through, and when he starts to doubt the side he’s supported and played for for so long, that’s when you know there’s really something wrong behind the scenes.

A lack of funds and no European football could see Schalke lose a lot more than Manuel Neuer, and that is the grim reality for konigsblauen fans who may have been hoping for another title challenge this season.