Ex Bayern Munich manager, Pep Guardiola was ready to play Manuel Neuer in midfield when he was coach at the club, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who recently revealed that it was an experiment the Spaniard wanted to try out on the pitch.
However, he was eventually blocked from doing so and a decision was made for the German to remain in goal.
According to Karl, he was not surprised that it was raised because Neuer invented the art of being a footballer as a goalkeeper and he changed the way fans looked at players in his position.
He added that he found it hard to convince Pep to drop the idea since people at the club felt the move would’ve been perceived as arrogant, but he eventually had his way.
His words, “Manuel invented the art of being a footballer as a goalkeeper and revolutionised this position.
“I still remember how Pep Guardiola, after winning a championship, seriously came up with the idea of putting him in midfield for a game.”
“I found it difficult to dissuade Pep from this idea, which some of us felt might be interpreted as arrogance. But I am convinced that Manu would have done well in midfield, too.”
“You realise pretty quickly that things are different at FC Bayern compared to other clubs.
“Winning can soon become normality for the people here but for us it’s hard work.
“I have a completely different view on what many people have regarded for decades as the legendary ‘Bayern-luck’. That for me is the unrelenting belief in being able to turn a game around right up until the final whistle – as we showed twice at the end of the first half of the season. That belief, that confidence, is ingrained in the club and its tradition.”
“Essentially, any year without trophies for an ambitious club like FC Bayern would be a lost year, although there are exceptions.
“After finishing runners-up in all three competitions in 2012, we went into the following season hugely motivated and won the treble.
“But we’re still in the mix for all three competitions anyway, so I don’t think that question needs be asked.”
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