Vincent Kompany confirms Manuel Neuer to be dropped from Bayern Munich starting XI as backup goalkeeper gets rare chance

On Saturday, Bayern will aim to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table when they visit Borussia-Park to take on Borussia Monchengladbach. In the pre-match press conference, Kompany confirmed who will be starting in goal without dropping more hints about the rest of the lineup. 

The Belgian revealed his choice claimed that Neuer would not be playing on Saturday. "Jonas will start tomorrow," Kompany told reporters. "I don't usually say anything about the starting eleven. But I've learned in my career that goalkeepers are always a little different. That's why it's better to be clear. We discussed that very clearly with Manu this week."

When asked why he made the choice to drop Neuer, Kompany confirmed he wants Urbig to enjoy some continuity ahead of the DFB-Pokal second round clash. Neuer is unavailable for the tie as he is still serving a suspension for his red card in the round-of-16 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last season. 

“The reason for this is that Jonas will start in goal against Koln," Kompany said. Urbig has made just one appearance in the ongoing 2025-26 season, which came in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. He couldn't keep a clean sheet as Bayern beat third-tier side Wehen Wiesbaden 3-2.

Not many expected Urbig to play as much as he did in the 2024-25 season. After signing a four-and-a-half-year contract for Bayern upon signing from Koln in January this year, the young custodian made 12 appearances, eight of which came in the Bundesliga and the other four in the Champions League after Neuer suffered a bizarre injury while celebrating a Jamal Musiala goal. Despite creating history as the first Bayern goalkeeper ever to fail to keep a clean sheet in each of his first five Bundesliga appearances, the Bavarians have placed immense faith in Urbig's potential.

According to a report from BILD, Bayern bosses decided that Urbig would play somewhere between 10 to 15 games in the 2025-26 season, regardless of Neuer's fitness. The report added that Urbig will play a key role in providing Neuer with additional rest during the most congested periods of the season.

Earlier this year, Neuer signed a new deal which sees him remain at the club until June 30, 2026. However, in recent weeks, speculation suggests that Die Roten are keen on offering another extension to their legendary goalkeeper. Even though he retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship, there have been talks regarding a potential return, given Die Mannschaft are currently lacking in world-class goalkeepers as they aim to resemble a squad worthy of challenging for next year's World Cup.

Per reports, conversations between Neuer and Bayern Munich are scheduled to take place sometime in December, preferably before the winter break. If Neuer, who will turn 40 in March, agrees to a new deal, it could prove to be a huge blow to the prospects of the young Urbig, who is seen by the club's hierarchy as the natural successor to Neuer's throne at Allianz Arena. What's more, it could also result in Alexander Nubel seeking a permanent move next summer. The 29-year-old signed a new deal with Bayern until 2029 last year before extending his loan at Stuttgart until the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Neuer, for his part, has remained coy while speaking about his future. "I have to take care of my bones. It's getting late, and I'm already feeling it again," the 39-year-old said with a mischievous smile earlier this week. "Let's see how it is when I get up."

While the club is currently focusing on ensuring some of their most important players are tied down to longer contracts, the on-field aspect has been near flawless so far. In 12 games this season, Kompany's men have registered 12 wins, scoring 44 goals. They will be aiming to inflate their lead further atop the Bundesliga table on Saturday, as they face bottom-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.