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Hoeness backs Neuer to stay and mentor Urbig as Bayern plan succession

·By Junior Yekini
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Hoeness backs Neuer to stay and mentor Urbig as Bayern plan succession

Bayern Munich

Uli Hoeness has publicly backed Manuel Neuer to remain at Bayern Munich for another season and take on a mentoring role with heir apparent Jonas Urbig, with reports suggesting a contract extension is trending in that direction.

The Bayern honorary president made his position clear in the podcast Auf eine weiß-blaue Tasse alongside Bavarian minister-president Markus Söder.

"If it were up to me, we would try to keep him for another year and ask him to take on a sponsorship role for Urbig," Hoeness said.

For the arrangement to work, Neuer would need to accept playing time being shared. "He would have to agree to sit out some games so that Jonas can become his successor. But he can only achieve that if he plays."

Hoeness admitted he was initially sceptical about the 22-year-old Urbig. "At the beginning I was not convinced. But what he has shown so far really gives hope that he can manage it."

Neuer, 40, joined Bayern from Schalke in 2011 and has won 11 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League medals with the club. His current deal expires this summer. A decision on his future is expected soon.