Bayern ‘obliged’ to sign goalkeeper in winter: Nagelsmann

Bayern Munich’s German head coach Julian Nagelsmann waits to give an interview prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 in Munich, southern Germany on December 11, 2021. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann said on Thursday the club “have an obligation” to sign another goalkeeper in winter, due to the absence of first-choice stopper Manuel Neuer.

Speaking from Bayern’s winter training camp at the Qatar Aspire Academy in Doha, Nagelsmann spoke of the club’s “duty” to sign another keeper, with Neuer to miss most of 2023 with a broken leg.

Nagelsmann said he has been impressed with Neuer’s backup Sven Ulreich at training, but felt another ‘keeper was necessary.

“From my perspective, we have an obligation to sign another goalkeeper,” Nagelsmann told reporters.

“(We need another keeper) regardless of whether he is the number one or the number two.

“After that, we have some very young players, who are talented, but to come into a game at this stage of the season having never played a minute of professional football, would be a difficult situation.”

Bayern sits four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table and will meet Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League on February 14.

Nagelsmann acknowledged the difficulties in finding a quality goalkeeper at short notice, particularly during the season.

“The goalkeeper market (in winter) is complex. There is no team which would gladly give up its first-choice goalkeeper.

“There are not many players on the market – and you can’t just build one (a