‘We are not Man Utd’ - Bayern slam Ronaldo free transfer

Carlo Garganese

7 Feb 2023 08:45 GMT
3 min read

Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has hit out at Man Utd for their decision to release Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer and says that his club would never do the same with Manuel Neuer.

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Ronaldo had his contract at Man Utd rescinded in Novemeber in the week leading up to the World Cup.

This came about after Ronaldo blasted Man Utd in an interview with Piers Morgan, accusing the club and key figures of betraying him and trying to force him out.

He slammed manager Erik ten Hag, former boss Ralf Rangnick, owners The Glazers and club legends Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville.

The interview proved to be the final straw for the club after months of indiscipline and controversy surrounding Ronaldo and his behaviour.

He eventually joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on a free transfer last month.

Bayern Munich are now facing a similar situation in the sense that Neuer has been publicly criticising the Bavarian club in the media.

Neuer is currently locked in a war of words with Bayern’s management over the release of goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic.

Tapalovic was released by Bayern after allegedly leaking information from the coaching staff to the press.

Neuer was close friends with Tapalovic and has taken the decision badly. He has publicly criticised the club, leading to Bayern hitting back at the veteran goalkeeper.

Didi Hamann: "These statements are embarrassing for Neuer. This is arrogance. He put himself higher than the club. For me, sacking Tapalovic is the best decision."

Do you think Neuer will play with Bayern again after his statements?

Hamann: "Probably not" pic.twitter.com/WIz7cuzbAu
— BayernTimes (@BayernTimes) February 4, 2023

There is now a growing feeling that this could even lead to Neuer being released on a free transfer, with his contract due to expire in 2024.

However, Hainer has shot down these reports whilst aiming a dig at Man Utd for how they handled the Ronaldo situation.

What did Hainer say about Neuer?

"No, not at all," Hainer told BR24 Sport, when asked if Bayern would release Neuer on a free.

"That's why we are FC Bayern Munich. At FC Bayern Munich we will always clarify such things internally. Such things make FC Bayern strong and special.”

Neuer turns 37 next month and is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg on a skiing trip after the World Cup.

Bayern subsequently signed Yann Sommer as his replacement from Borussia Monchengladbach.