Jonas Urbig’s path to No. 1 for both club and country takes shape

Jonas Urbig’s path to No. 1 for both club and country takes shape Bayern Munich’s long-term succession plan for Manuel Neuer continues to take shape around Jonas Urbig. The 23-year-old remains Neuer’s deputy for the time being, but Bayern have deliberately found opportunities to keep Urbig involved during the opening weeks of the season. The former 1. FC Cologne goalkeeper has featured twice in Bayern’s first six competitive fixtures, with the club keen to ensure that he maintains his rhythm while continuing to develop behind one of the most decorated goalkeepers of his generation. Urbig has now made 34 competitive appearances for Bayern since joining from Cologne in January 2025. Twenty of those came last season, when injuries to Neuer afforded the youngster an extended opportunity to demonstrate his qualities at the highest level. That body of work has helped eliminate some initial doubts within the Bayern hierarchy. According to Kicker , the German record champions now believe Urbig possesses the necessary attributes to become Neuer’s long-term successor. The expectation internally is that Urbig could take over as Bayern’s No. 1 as early as next summer. Bayern increasingly plan around Urbig Much depends on Neuer. The Bayern captain has increasingly hinted that the current campaign could be his final season as a professional. After Bayern’s recent 0-0 draw at Schalke, Neuer said he did not expect to play at the Veltins-Arena again. Should the 40-year-old retire next summer, Bayern hope to execute something close to a seamless transition. Urbig would move into the starting role, but Bayern’s planning extends beyond simply handing him the gloves. Kicker reports that Sven Ulreich would also probably retire if Neuer calls time on his career. Bayern would therefore need to sign at least one new goalkeeper and potentially two. The preferred model involves bringing in an experienced No. 2 capable of supporting Urbig rather than blocking his pathway. Bayern are seeking a goalkeeper prepared to accept a backup role while remaining reliable enough to step in when required — essentially recreating the role Ulreich has fulfilled for years. Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is reportedly among several names under consideration, although there have been no concrete talks and the Germany international would not necessarily represent a conventional reserve goalkeeper. Bayern are also considering an internal solution for the third spot. Highly rated academy goalkeeper Leonard Prescott is viewed as a possible future No. 3. The 16-year-old, who stands 1.96 meters tall and is currently sidelined with a meniscus injury, has already appeared several times in Vincent Kompany’s senior matchday squads. A possible future hierarchy could therefore consist of Urbig as the established No. 1, an experienced external deputy and Prescott continuing his development as the third goalkeeper. Urbig already enters Germany picture Urbig’s progress has also earned recognition at international level. New Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp included the Bayern goalkeeper among five shot-stoppers in his first 44-man selection. The nomination generated some debate given that Urbig remains behind Neuer at club level. Supporters of the decision point to Urbig’s performances whenever called upon, his distribution, reflexes and experience playing under significant pressure at Bayern. Critics argue that a Germany goalkeeper should first establish himself as an undisputed club starter over an extended period. Urbig’s Bundesliga head coach possesses little doubt about which direction his career is heading. Vincent Kompany on Jonas Urbig “You naturally have to plan a little bit for the future, also with the national team,” FCB trainer Kompany said when discussing Klopp’s decision to nominate Urbig at a press conference late last week. “And if anyone believes that he won’t become Germany’s No. 1 at some point, then I think they’re making a big mistake. The kid will be No. 1 one day.” “When Jürgen Klopp decides when that will be — whether it’s in one year or five years — I have no idea,” Kompany continued. “But the situation is also sometimes a little different when you’re the No. 2 behind one of the best goalkeepers of all time.” “You also have to take a little bit of the context into account,” Kompany concluded. “That’s why it was a sensible, stable decision. I would have done exactly the same.” GGFN  |  Peter Weis