FC Bayern Forum

Sorry for big wall of text but thought this might be interesting: I went back over the last year and found every bit of news relating to Neuer's injury and subsequent re-injuries/setbacks and compiled them all here. Sad....

March 30, 2017 - Initial injury to Neuer’s foot. A “minor intervention” was necessary and he was expected to miss two games. This came 10 days after being withdrawn from DFB-training due to calf problems; he missed the friendly vs England and WC qualifier vs Azerbaijan. (Official FCB release)

Same day - Neuer tweets “Yesterday I had a little op after a training injury on my left foot. Everything went great and I’m working hard to get back into the team quickly.

March 31, 2017 - Neuer is photographed by Bild with a still-bandaged calf (recall March 20th injury) as well as a fully wrapped foot/ankle and is on crutches.

April 1, 2017 - Ancelotti confirms Neuer will be able to play vs Dortmund and Real Madrid: “He has a small problem with his toe, but there’s no danger to his participation in the first leg of the quarterfinal”

April 3, 2017 - Sport1 claims that Neuer will NOT be ready to play vs Dortmund (4/8/17) and will be questionable to face Madrid.

April 3, 2017 - Ancelotti: “Neuer will resume individual training on Wednesday (April 5). All I can say is that he will 100% play vs Real Madrid”

April 4, 2017 - Per Bild, Neuer is photographed off crutches. They claim that he won’t be ready in time for BVB game but could be fit to face Madrid.

April 7, 2017 - Bild also reports that Neuer has now completed his first training since his foot operation and should be clear to face Madrid.

April 8, 2017 - Bayern face Dortmund and win 4-1. Ulreich starts in goal.

April 18, 2017 - It’s widely reported that Neuer picked up an injury at some point in the match vs Madrid and played through it. He leaves the stadium on crutches. SportBild: “Neuer suffered a serious injury to his foot. His season is over.”

April 19, 2017 - KHR says that Neuer will miss 8 weeks. This would put his return in mid-June 2017.

April 20, 2017 - Club confirms that Neuer fractured his foot vs Madrid - no surgery, but his season is done.

June 27, 2017 - SportBild reports that Neuer will be back for the start of preseason on July 1 but will NOT be training with the team just yet.

June 28, 2017 - FCB press release states that Neuer has been doing individual training since June 26th.

July 4, 2017 - SportBild reports Neuer’s injury was a “double fracture” which complicates and slows down the healing process

July 10, 2017 - after 12 weeks, Neuer is finally seen getting rid of his crutches (FCB Snapchat)

July 13, 2017 - Neuer is widely photographed at public trainings. He’s seen doing some individual training on the pitch, but nothing major - just in his tennis shoes.

July 18, 2017 - Ancelotti in press conference says Neuer will be good to go by the BL opener.

August 11, 2017 - In an interview with Sven Ulreich, he says he will play in the Pokal (August 12) but that Neuer will be starting in goal vs Leverkusen (August 18; Bundesliga opener)

August 17, 2017 - Ancelotti confirms that Neuer will not play vs Leverkusen: “Manuel Neuer will not be playing tomorrow. We will not take any risks.”

August 19, 2017 - Transfermarkt sets an estimated return date of August 31st.

August 21, 2017 - Neuer will make his return vs Werder Bremen on August 26th per TZ

August 26-September 17, 2017 - Neuer returns and plays in matches vs Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim, Mainz, Anderlecht, and Kickers Offenbach.

September 18, 2017 - Official Bayern statement says that Neuer suffered another foot injury and will miss game vs Schalke - More exams and final diagnosis to come. Multiple outlets report he’s broken the same foot he’d previously injured and it’s widely reported he’ll need surgery and will miss months.

September 19, 2017 - Club statement says Neuer will be out until January 2018. Neuer posts a photo of himself in the hospital and says that his operation went well.

September 20, 2017 - Bild reports that HWMW agreed to help Bayern in “complicated cases.” The choice of specialist who operated on Neuer was chosen at HWMW’s advice.

September 21, 2017 - Tom Starke comes out of retirement to return to help the club out at GK.

October 6, 2017 - TZ report that Neuer could be out “longer than expected. It could take up to six months”

November 8, 2017 - Bild report that Neuer’s recovery has been delayed and he’s expected to remain on crutches for four or five more weeks. It was initially reported that he’d only need to be on crutches for six weeks total.

November 14, 2017 - Transfermarkt estimate a projected return date of March 1st, 2018.

November 21, 2017 - KHR: “Neuer’s on the right track, things are going as our doctors have projected. He’ll soon be off crutches and start rehab. I don’t know if he’ll be back right at the start of the Rückrunde.”

December 10, 2017 - Neuer: “I won’t give any exact timetable on my return. But it’d be nice if I could say goodbye to these two friends (gestures to crutches) in time for Christmas…that’d be the best present.”

December 25, 2017 - Neuer is still on crutches per his own Instagram story.

December 29, 2017 - Interview with Jogi Löw: “The plan is that he’ll be able to train in February, maybe March. He certainly needs more time to recover. He’s the best keeper in the world, our captain, we absolutely need him.”

December 30, 2017 - Neuer is seen doing some individual rehab work without crutches for the first time (this marks roughly 14 weeks on crutches; initially projected to be on crutches for only 6 weeks) (Seen on FCB Snapchat)

January 3, 2018 - Brazzo: “Neuer’s dropped the crutches, but we’re not putting pressure on him. He’ll have all the time he needs to recover.”

January 26, 2018 - Neuer interview with FCB.tv. Q: “We want to know if you have a specific date for your comeback, possibly in March or maybe April?” A: “There is no specific date. We’ve got to play it safe and wait and see how my body handles the next few steps. But I am very optimistic and know I will play in the second half of the season.”

February 9, 2018 - Club confirms that Neuer has been given a short vacation to spend some time in warmer weather until February 18th while continuing to work on his rehab: “Manuel has made great progress towards his comeback over the last few weeks”. He ends up spending 10 days in Thailand.

February 19, 2018 - Bild photograph Neuer upon his return to Säbener Straße. “Still no specific comeback date, but his participation at the World Cup is not in danger.”

February 23, 2018 - Bild: “Neuer is back training with his goalkeeper gloves. SportBild: Neuer wants to resume training on the pitch in mid-to-late March and should come back into the squad by late April.

March 5, 2018 - Transfermarkt give an estimated return date of April 19th, 2018.

March 9, 2018 - Heynckes in presser: “[Neuer] has worked well to increase his workload. But I still can’t give a comeback date yet. He can’t take any risks.”

March 10, 2018 - Heynckes to TZ: “You’ll see if he’s back on the training ground in early April.”

March 14, 2018 - Heynckes in presser: “The perspective is positive. It’s looking very good. I think he should return in April.”

March 22, 2018 - Kicker: Neuer will be back running on the treadmill at 100% today (Note: a couple weeks prior, Neuer stated he was running on treadmill but only at 80% bodyweight). If all goes well, he could be back in goal next month (April).

March 23, 2018 - Neuer interview: “I’ve got to say that things are going well. Today is an emotional day for me because I was able to put full weight on my foot in three five-minute bursts and there was no reaction from the foot. Both feet felt the same! So it’s an important step for me. In my head, there’s no issue. I’m doing many exercises that are pushing me to my limit, but I have a fresh mind every day and I don’t have the pressure of playing in the Bundesliga, UCL, and Pokal every week. I just come to Säbener Straße and put in my six hours or so, then go to therapy and speak with the physics about my progress.”

March 27, 2018 - Bayern social medias post a photo of Neuer back outside running on the pitch

March 29, 2018 - It’s reported that Neuer has began training with the ball again for the first time since his injury.

April 2, 2018 - Video from Bild shows Neuer running on the pitch back in his footy boots for the first time (previously had just been in sneakers)

April 5, 2018 - FC Bayern social medias post photos of Neuer back in training with the ball.

April 6, 2018 - Heynckes: “I’ve watched Neuer in training and I’m very happy. He’s looking very good and his foot hasn’t shown any reactions either.”

April 7, 2018 - Brazzo in interview on Sky: “I’d be happy if he’d be able to play just a few matches for us this season.”

April 10, 2018 - Heynckes: “Manu’s situation is very positive. His injury is 100% healed, but now it’s about upping the intensity - step by step - then we’ll see when he can return. I’m confident it’ll happen this season still.”

April 20, 2018 - Heynckes confirms Neuer will take part in team training for first time since his injury: “Manu will complete the first few parts of training today” (FCB Twitter)

April 23, 2018 - it’s reported by the team that “Only Vidal, Coman, and Neuer missed the training session”

May 3, 2018 - Heynckes: “The game vs Köln is too soon. We’ll have another look next week.” Torben Hoffmann/Sky Sports: Neuer has completed some of the team training and is doing goalkeeper specific training with Tapalovic.

May 6, 2018 - Bild: Neuer had to take a pause in his rehab due to bone edema - a buildup of fluid - in his left foot. He had to take a 2-3 day rest, so no comeback vs Köln. Now, his participation vs Stuttgart is very doubtful.

May 8, 2018 - Neuer: “It’s going well; I’m feeling good, but I have to make the right decision for me, the team, and Germany. I want to get better each day and try to get fit as quickly as possible. We’ll see if it’s enough. I can’t say for certain. It’s hard to imagine playing at a tournament like the World Cup with no prior match practice.”

May 9, 2018 - Reported by Kicker: Heynckes says Neuer will not play vs Stuttgart nor in the DFB Pokal final. Club season over.

May 9, 2018 - Club issues a statement refuting Kicker’s report. Heynckes: “I didn’t say that. The fact is that Manuel won’t be in the squad for Saturday’s game vs Stuttgart. However, the decision is still open for the Pokal final.”

MaCk0y wrote:

MUTU wrote:

Can't see tweet? Click here!

What's with his pants?

They’re ugly

MUTU wrote:What a beautiful collection, thank you for the time you put into this! The irony is that while everyone is busy bashing HWMW in general, he's quite innocent in this matter. Chances are Neuer would have been back ages ago had Guardiola not driven off HWMW.

PS: I'd add that Bild wrote an article saying that if they decide to go for surgery he would be out "for at least 8 weeks". What pisses me off most was Kalle in late November giving us some hope of Manu being back in mid January. How irresponsible was that?

Was thinking the same thing... I've ridiculed HWMW myself lately... But: he USED to do a decent job and he was NOT the one delaying the surgery... He’s the one supposed to clean this shot up now... Also, he's not a surgeon...

#12 wrote:

MUTU wrote:What a beautiful collection, thank you for the time you put into this! The irony is that while everyone is busy bashing HWMW in general, he's quite innocent in this matter. Chances are Neuer would have been back ages ago had Guardiola not driven off HWMW.

PS: I'd add that Bild wrote an article saying that if they decide to go for surgery he would be out "for at least 8 weeks". What pisses me off most was Kalle in late November giving us some hope of Manu being back in mid January. How irresponsible was that?

Was thinking the same thing... I've ridiculed HWMW myself lately... But: he USED to do a decent job and he was NOT the one delaying the surgery... He’s the one supposed to clean this shot up now... Also, he's not a surgeon...

There is probably some truth to both. As noted, by all accounts the surgeon who worked on Neuer after his second (or was it third or fourth?) setback was one of HWMW's choosing.
I suspect, as with many things...there's a bit of blame on both sides. That's the trouble with these medical issues. On one hand, there's no way to conclusively say "if we didn't have HWMW our players would heal up faster." On the other, we also can't really conclusively say "if HWMW were here, Neuer would be back by now". So it goes.

Never said anything else... But it’s still by far our most high profile injury...