Ex-coach Löw backs Neuer's Germany return

Former Germany football coach Joachim Löw has fully backed getting veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer out of international retirement to play at the upcoming World Cup.

Bayern Munich's Neuer, 40, was called up into the German Cup squad on Thursday by coach Julian Nageslmann for the June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Neuer will be first choice ahead of Oliver Baumann who played in all six qualifiers and two March friendlies.

"Oliver Baumann has done a good job. But Manuel is of course a personality. A coach decides based on quality but also based on team dynamics," Löw said on Friday at the Bild 100 Sport event in Berlin.

"Manu knows tournaments, he has experience. Therefore it is a very, very good decision."

Löw coached Germany 2006-2021. Neuer earned his first cap in 2009 and was made first choice just before the 2010 World Cup when René Adler suffered a rib injury.

Neuer retired from the national team after Euro 2024 and the upcoming World Cup will be his ninth major tournament. He has 124 caps and won the World Cup in 2014.

Neuer was always first choice under Löw, even at the 2018 World Cup for which he returned after months of injury.

Long-time deputy Marc-André ter Stegen was made first choice in 2024 but will miss the World Cup due to a latest injury. That gave Baumann a chance to play but also ultimately led to Neuer's return.

Löw acknowledged that it is "a difficult situation" for Baumann but added that "the coach has responsibility" and "makes the decisions."

The ex-coach defended Nagelsmann from communication deficits on the issue and hopes that the team will deliver at the World Cup after group stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

"We hope that it will be a good tournament and that there will be a special connection between the team and the fans, like in 2014 and in 2006 (at the home World Cup)," he said.

Löw also backed Nagelsmann's decision to nominate Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and Galatasaray forward Leroy Sané into the 126-player squad, despite Rüdiger's temper and Sanè modest club season.