Bayern Munich targets Oliver Baumann as backup for Jonas Urbig in post-Neuer succession plan
FC Bayern Munich is considering TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann as the primary backup candidate if Jonas Urbig replaces Manuel Neuer as starting goalkeeper next summer.
Transition plan behind Jonas Urbig
FC Bayern Munich is preparing its goalkeeping hierarchy for the potential conclusion of Manuel Neuer's career. The 40-year-old captain reaches the end of his contract at the close of the current season, and retirement remains the expected direction, though he has not yet announced a formal decision. Under the club's succession plan, 23-year-old Jonas Urbig is designated to take over as the starting goalkeeper if Neuer retires. Urbig is scheduled to make his senior international debut for the German national team against Serbia on Thursday evening at 20:45. Club management wants an experienced goalkeeper to fill the number two role behind Urbig, looking for a veteran who accepts the backup status, provides reliable performances on the pitch, and assists Urbig in his development.
- Manuel Neuer
- 40 years
- Oliver Baumann
- 36 years
- Bernd Leno
- 34 years
- Finn Dahmen
- 28 years
- Jonas Urbig
- 23 years
Oliver Baumann evaluated as top backup target
TSG Hoffenheim captain Oliver Baumann is viewed internally at Bayern Munich as the preferred candidate to serve as the reserve goalkeeper behind Urbig. The 36-year-old goalkeeper holds a contract at Hoffenheim through 2028 and brings the experience of more than 500 Bundesliga appearances accumulated across spells at SC Freiburg and Hoffenheim. Baumann occupied the starting goalkeeper position for the German national team leading up to the World Cup, where Neuer displaced him in the lineup. German national team coach Jürgen Klopp left Baumann out of the squad for the current international matches. At club level, Baumann endured a difficult start to the season with Hoffenheim, conceding ten goals in four league games with only one win, before falling 2-0 to OFI Crete on the opening matchday of the Europa League.
- Bayern first explores signing Oliver Baumann under Thomas Tuchel before recruiting Daniel Peretz
- Bernd Leno and Finn Dahmen emerge on Munich's shortlist for the future backup position
- Oliver Baumann is identified as top target to back up incoming starter Jonas Urbig
Appearance milestone and previous Munich interest
Bayern officials maintain doubts regarding whether Baumann would agree to surrender a starting position, as a backup role would jeopardize his pursuit of the all-time Bundesliga appearance record. Karl-Heinz Körbel, the former Eintracht Frankfurt defender, holds the league record with 602 matches. Baumann requires 75 additional league appearances to equal Körbel's total, a milestone that regular bench duty in Munich would make unattainable. Bayern previously explored signing Baumann in July 2023 under then head coach Thomas Tuchel, when Munich considered him alongside Yann Sommer as competition for Neuer. Bayern opted instead to recruit Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who registered seven competitive matches for the club before transferring to English side Southampton.
Shortlist options and open variables
Bayern is also assessing other experienced goalkeepers in case an agreement with Baumann proves unfeasible. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno is on the club's shortlist, after initial reports surfaced regarding Bayern's interest in the 34-year-old. Leno is under contract in London until summer 2027, with Fulham holding an option for an additional season, and offers 233 Bundesliga appearances alongside more than 250 matches in the Premier League from his time with Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, and Fulham. FC Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen, aged 28, is another option under discussion and enters free agency in the summer. Marvin Schwäbe of 1. FC Köln is also linked with the backup vacancy. All prospective moves remain exploratory, as Bayern must first await Neuer's final decision on retirement and resolve the future of backup Sven Ulreich.
