Oliver Kahn claims Neuer 'never listens' after skiing injury

Many people in the soccer world were shocked to find out that Bayern Munich star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer suffered a serious leg injury after a skiing accident. Not necessarily because skiers don’t get injured, but because the shotstopper was even on the slopes.

Professional athletes tend to avoid certain dangerous activity, particularly midseason. Teams can even insert clauses in contracts that prohibit things like skiing as well. However, Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn has claimed that Neuer knew he wasn’t supposed to be on the mountain after Germany’s shock exit from the World Cup.

Kahn: ‘Neuer never listens to anyone’

“Manuel decided to take a little break from the tournament,” Kahn explained to Russian news outlet RG. “He needed rest after such stress. Neuer is a big fan of alpine skiing and went to the slopes.”

“I know that he was warned several times that there was very little snow, stones were sticking out everywhere and it was dangerous to ride, but Neuer never listens to anyone. As a result, rescuers removed him from the mountain, transported him by helicopter to the hospital where he underwent an operation.”

Bayern target new keeper after Neuer skiing injury

The injury leaves the Bundesliga leaders short between the posts. 34-year-old veteran Sven Ulreich is now the most logical Neuer replacement on the roster. However, Kahn admitted that the club will look for January additions.

“We’ve lost our goalkeeper before the end of the season,” continued Kahn. “It’s terrible because he is one of the best in the world. A very serious loss for the team. But we believe that the recovery will go well and his return too, but for now, we have to solve the problem of a replacement. But this is temporary. Manuel will be back.”

While Bayern will target a new keeper, it will not be Croatian World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic. Kahn claimed that his team must target other options. “Livakovic is worthy of praise,” Kahn said. “Such a goalkeeper must play at a top club. I have no doubt that this will be the case in the new season, but at the same time, he is not within the scope of our interests.”

Bayern have time to find the right goalie target. The Bundesliga does not return to action until Jan. 20.

PHOTO: IMAGO / ULMER Pressebildagentur