MANUEL NEUER’S goalkeeping coach and close friend Toni Tapalovic has been SACKED by Bayern Munich.
Tapalovic, 42, had worked for the German giants since 2011.
The former goalkeeper, who had his playing career cruelly cut short by an ACL injury, was best man at Neuer’s wedding.
Bayern recently confirmed his departure, vaguely citing “differences in the way we work together”.
But according to German paper Bild, there was more to it than that.
They allege that Tapalovic fell out with Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann.
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It’s claimed that their falling out was due to Tapalovic allegedly “leaking” private conversations between coaching staff to Neuer.
The report added that Neuer, 36, would then relay information to other senior figures within the playing squad.
Following Tapalovic’s exit, the Germany goalkeeper posted an emotional farewell on Instagram.
He wrote: “Dear Toni, today is the end of an era at FC Bayern Munich.
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“With you after 11.5 years, not only an absolute pioneer of the modern goalkeeping game, but above all a great person is leaving the club.
“Everyone, not only in Munich, knows that all these achievements would never have been possible without you!
“Last but not least, you shaped and lifted me and my goalkeeping game to a new level. I will miss you!”
Neuer’s post received heart emoji comments from former Bayern stars David Alaba and Franck Ribery.
Tapalovic was best man in 2017, when Neuer married ex-wife Nina Weiss.
The goalkeeper walked down the aisle on crutches after suffering an injury in the Champions League while playing for Bayern that year.
Neuer was ruled out for the rest of the current season after breaking his leg in a skiing accident last month.
Bayern have since moved to sign Swiss No1 Yann Sommer to deputise.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
