Manuel Neuer Overcomes Bayern Trauma – Bayern Overcome Klinsmann Trauma

By: Jan | April 27th, 2009

   

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This is not Manuel Neuer’s way of paying tribute to one of Germany’s best ever goalkeepers – it is his way to exact revenge. Revenge for four minutes in May 2001.

Manuel Neuer was 15 when he stood in the curve of Schalke’s old Parkstadion, ready to celebrate Schalke’s first championship since 1958. Schalke had beaten Unterhaching and Bayern were losing against Hamburg. Schalke topped the table on goal difference. Fans had already invaded the pitch celebrating, not realizing that the game in Hamburg wasn’t over yet. Referee Markus Merk had given three minutes of extra time and in the fourth he awarded a free kick to Bayern. The free kick resulted in heartbreak and tears for Schalke, while Oliver Kahn ran to the corner flag to celebrate. A moment burned into the collective memory of all Schalke fans – well at least Manuel Neuer’s.

Schalke’s 1-0 victory over Bayern on Saturday was in no way near as important or dramatic, but probably Neuer felt, that with all the chaos going on at his own club, a better opportunity may not come anytime soon. Schalke fans thanked him by declaring him their new god. Bayern fans were probably not amused, in case they noticed at all in between their weekly routine of chanting “Klinsmann out!”. A wish which came true today.

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Comments  

• Juliet |  April 27th, 2009 at 11:48 am

  
  
  

  Thanks for explaining that, Jan. On Saturday morning, drinking my increasingly bitter coffee, I had wondered why Neuer performed that celebration. Fitting, really. I don’t blame him a bit, and actually admire his devotion to his club.

  Can’t say I’m surprised Klinsi’s out. From the words of Hoeness and Rummenigge, I had thought he’d had a 50-50 chance of lasting the year, but with the way the team has been playing I suppose they had to let him go before the fans came for them. I don’t care at all about winning the league — holding on to the CL spot is key.

  

• Jan |  April 27th, 2009 at 7:10 pm

  
  
  

  Yup, Manuel Neuer is probably one of the rare cases where a player is actually a die hard fan of the club he plays for.

  We’ll see how the team reacts to the sacking. You often see many players putting in more effort because there’s a chance for a new hierarchy and starting XI under a new coach. But I doubt Heynckes can solve some of the more fundamental problems with this team in such a short time. Hitzfeld couldn’t do it either last time around.

  

• diana |  April 27th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

  
  
  

  I had read about what Neuer did. Now at least there is a video to what happened eight years ago. Thanks for that, Jan.