Bayern Munich chiefs ‘would have preferred Kasper Schmeichel over Yann Sommer’ as emergency signing
Bayern Munich leaders ‘would have preferred Kasper Schmeichel to Yann Sommer’ as their emergency goalkeeper in January following Manuel Neuer’s bizarre broken leg, but were overruled by the since-departed Julian Nagelsmann
- Yann Sommer came over from Borussia Mönchengladbach in January
- The Switzerland international has not been a decisive success since his arrival
- Reports suggest Bayern Munich’s hierarchy was unconvinced by his signing
Bayern Munich’s hierarchy would rather have signed Kasper Schmeichel in January than Yann Sommer, Germany reports.
Summer, 34, was rushed in Manuel Neuer, who has been number 1 for years, broke a bizarre leg during a skiing trip after the World Cup.
The Switzerland international signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Bayern Munich after paying Borussia Mönchengladbach £7 million to sign him.
However, it has been reported by Kicker that the club chiefs would have preferred to sign the former Leicester goalkeeper who currently plays for Nice in Ligue 1.
The decision to go for Sommer instead is said to have been made by Julian Nagelsmann, who was unceremoniously fired at the end of last month and replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Bayern Munich leaders would rather have signed Kasper Schmeichel than Yann Sommer, it is claimed
The Switzerland international was taken off after Manuel Neuer’s skiing accident
Schmeichel would have been available on loan until the end of the season
Schmeichel would have signed for just six months, meaning the road to Neuer’s return would be much clearer, while Alex Nubel, on loan at Monaco, would also return to the first team.
Peter Schmeichel revealed in February that his son was close to signing, though they chose Sommer instead.
“It’s Yann Sommer in goal now, but it could have been my son,” said the Manchester United legend.
“On the same day they signed Yann Sommer, they were also in talks with my son, because it took about 10 days to reach an agreement with Borussia Mönchengladbach.”
Nagelsmann wanted a longer-term option and a German-speaking goalkeeper, it is claimed, meaning Sommer was brought in.
He has proved unconvincing so far, with Bayern Munich out of the Champions League, the German national cup and now behind Borussia Dortmund in the league.
Manuel Neuer shared an image on social media after undergoing surgery on the injury
The shotstopper shared footage while on holiday after suffering the serious injury
Sommer could soon be benched with Sven Ulreich, the experienced back-up keeper, who may be called up.
The German giants are currently mired in an almighty head-to-toe crisis, with reports from executives unsure of their future and furious at how the season has derailed itself so spectacularly.
When Bayern Munich sacked Nagelsmann earlier this month, they trailed Borussia Dortmund in the league, but remained in the Champions League, after just beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, and in the German Cup.
Since the arrival of Tuchel, they have continued to chase Dortmund in the league, having been eliminated from both competitions.
Thomas Tuchel must win the Bundesliga or he will be fired, according to Dietmar Hamann
The crisis currently engulfing the club is so great that Tuchel’s future is by no means certain, despite only being appointed a few weeks ago. He has won only two of his seven matches so far.
Didi Hamann has claimed Tuchel will be sacked if Borussia Dortmund win the title.
As reported by Ruhr Nachrichten, Hamann said: “The leadership may be confused, but the coach also seems very confused in his four weeks so far.
“If he also gambles away the championship, it is clear that he will be fired.”
Bayern Munich’s 3-1 defeat in Mainz over the weekend allowed Dortmund to take a lead in a pulsating title race.