Key Takeaways:
Manuel Neuer was instrumental in Schalke's success, rising as one of Germany's top goalkeepers.
His standout performances in the 2007-08 Champions League marked a key moment in his early career.
Neuer captained Schalke to their first-ever Champions League semi-final and won the DFB-Pokal in his final season.
Even though his outstanding abilities as a goalkeeper might’ve diminished to an extent other the past few years, Manuel Neuer was still arguably the best goalkeeper in the world during his prime. His outstanding performances played an immense role in the huge success of both Bayern and Germany in the past decade. Those contributions even saw him named as the best goalkeeper of the decade from 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS. Neuer is also synonymous with the term “sweeper-keeper” Due to his playing style and speed when rushing off his line to anticipate opponents, which sees him going out of the penalty area. This article will be looking back at Neuer’s time at Schalke, which was were he began his rise as Germany’s top goalkeeper for the years to come.
Youth career and breakthrough at Schalke
Neuer began his youth career with Schalke, which was his hometown club. He got into the Schalke II team by 2003, and went on to play for 4 seasons with the club. It was on 2005 that he signed his first professional contract with Schalke.
Despite now being a part of the first-team, Neuer did not make any first team appearances during the 2005–06 season. However, he was still credited as a 2005 DFL-Ligapoka winner with the club since he was on the bench on numerous occasions as an unused substitute.
It was in the 2006–07 season that he finally made his Bundesliga debut for the club, as he came on for the injured Frank Rost on the second league match of the season. Neuer eventually emerged as first-choice keeper for the club, having been chosen ahead of Rost for the clash against Bayern Munich. The German keeper went on to have a fine performance, helping his side secure a 2-2 draw against the Bavarians.
Manuel Neuer showed immense potential despite his young age at the time, and he was tipped to be a potential successor to his former idol Jens Lehmann in the future for the Germany national team.
Neuer’s Emergence as Schalke’s No. 1
Neuer began the 2007–08 season by playing in three matches in the German League Cup. It was later on March 5th of 2008 that he went on to have one of his finest performances for the club. Schalke faced Porto in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League, and Neuer almost single-handedly kept Schalke in the game with several key saves. He forced the game into penalties, and then went on to make 2 saves in the shootout which saw Schalke advance to the quarter-finals. The season ended on a memorable note for Neuer, as he was shortlisted for the 2007–08 UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year award. This also made him the youngest and only Bundesliga goalkeeper in the list that year. Neuer made a total of 50 appearances that season, and was one of only three Bundesliga players to play every minute in the 2007–08 season.
The 2008-09 season was an underwhelming one for both Schalke and Neuer, as they finished 8th in the League and lost out on a Europa League spot. However, the German keeper went on to have a brilliant showing at the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which even gained the attention of German giants Bayern Munich at the time. Neuer continued his fine form in the following season as well, making a total of 39 appearances.
The Final Season at Schalke
Manuel Neuer became Schalke's captain in the 2010–11 season, and played an instrumental role in helping the side reach their first ever Champions League semi-final. They went on to lose against Manchester United in the semis, but what they achieved was nothing short of sensational. The German keeper also won the DFB-Pokal in his final season with the club, as Schalke defeated MSV Duisburg 5–0 in the final.
On 20 April 2011, Neuer announced that he would not be extending his contract with Schalke, which was set to expire at the end of the 2011–12 season. That was the end of Neuer at Schalke, as he eventually joined Bayern Munich. What followed is known to all, as Neuer went on to establish himself as one of the greatest keeper's in football history with the Bavarians.
FAQs:
What was Manuel Neuer’s role in Schalke’s success?
Neuer played a pivotal role as Schalke’s first-choice goalkeeper, guiding them to their first-ever Champions League semi-final and winning the DFB-Pokal during his final season.
When did Manuel Neuer make his professional debut for Schalke?
Neuer made his professional debut for Schalke in the 2006-07 Bundesliga season, coming on as a substitute for the injured Frank Rost.
What was Neuer’s most memorable performance at Schalke?
One of Neuer’s standout performances came in the 2007-08 Champions League against Porto, where his key saves and penalty stops helped Schalke advance to the quarter-finals.
When did Manuel Neuer become Schalke’s captain?
Neuer was named Schalke’s captain ahead of the 2010-11 season, leading the team to significant achievements, including their first Champions League semi-final.
How long did Neuer play for Schalke?
Neuer played for Schalke’s first team from 2005 to 2011 before transferring to Bayern Munich.
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