Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and Munich's sports director Hasan Salihamidzic have assured that the separation from goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic should not affect further cooperation with national soccer goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has been injured for months.

"It's not a decision against Manuel Neuer - that's important," said Nagelsmann after the Bundesliga leaders' 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln. "It has nothing to do with Manuel at all, it has to do with the fact that we wanted to reorient ourselves in this position," said Salihamidzic. FC Bayern had ended the successful cooperation with the new confidant Tapalovic because of differences in the Munich coaching team before the Cologne game.

Head coach Nagelsmann spoke of "not a nice decision for everyone". Ex-goalkeeper Tom Starke has currently taken over the Tapalovic job with the Bayern pros.

Neuer is sad to say goodbye to Tapalovic

For the 36-year-old Neuer, who will be out at least until the end of the season after a broken leg, it is sad that "a long-time companion and coach is no longer there," Nagelsmann remarked. Neuer is the captain, will be able to perform outstandingly again after his recovery and will remain an important contact person for him as a coach.

Salihamidzic has already discussed the changed situation with Neuer, as he said after the Cologne game. "Something like that is never nice, but we decided it that way," he said about the separation from Tapalovic.

The new Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer was cautious about the development of Tapalovic. That was "an internal club decision," said the Swiss national goalkeeper, who Bayern had signed as a replacement from Borussia Mönchengladbach after Neuer's long-term absence. He only experienced Tapalovic for four days and in two training sessions.