Kasper Schmeichel came remarkably close to signing for Bayern Munich a few years ago, but in a last-minute twist, the deal fell through.

The Danish goalkeeper had been on the verge of joining the German giants after their long-time No. 1, Manuel Neuer, suffered an injury following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

For Schmeichel, it would have been more than just a transfer—it was a club he had admired since childhood, thanks to his grandfather’s deep love for Bayern.

However, despite all signs pointing toward the move, Bayern decided to pull out at the last second for reasons that remain unclear.

The Deal That Never Was

Schmeichel recently opened up about the near-move, revealing just how close he was to becoming a Bayern player.

“Yes, there were discussions,” he said.

“Everything was pretty much agreed upon, and I was on my way to the airport.

Then, suddenly, it didn’t happen. You’d have to ask Bayern what went wrong because I honestly don’t know.”

Though disappointed, Schmeichel remains philosophical about the missed opportunity.

“It would have been an incredible experience to play for a club like Bayern, but life has its way of working things out.

I’m really happy with where I am now, playing for Celtic.”

A Family Connection to Bayern

Schmeichel’s connection to Bayern Munich runs deep, with his grandfather being a passionate follower of the club and German football in general.

Growing up, he was surrounded by stories of the club’s greatness, making the prospect of playing for them even more special.

“It’s a club I’ve followed since I was a kid,” he shared.

“I knew my role would have been a temporary one, covering for Neuer until he recovered.

But that didn’t matter—I was more than happy to take on that responsibility.”

In fact, his desire to join was so strong that he didn’t even need to see the contract.

“I just said, ‘Send it over, I’ll sign it right away!’ But in the end, it wasn’t meant to be.”

Facing Bayern in the Champions League

Now, in an ironic twist, Schmeichel finds himself back in Bavaria—not as a Bayern player, but as Celtic’s No. 1, preparing to take on the club he once dreamed of joining in the Champions League.

His task won’t be easy. Celtic will need a historic performance to overcome the German powerhouse, and Schmeichel will have to be at his very best.

Adding another layer to the matchup, he will be facing Neuer, the very player he was set to replace.

Admiration for Manuel Neuer

Schmeichel has long admired Neuer, having first encountered him nearly two decades ago in a U-21 match between Denmark and Germany.

“I remember that game well. I think we lost 4-0,” he recalled.

“Germany had some fantastic players, and Neuer stood out.

Even back then, he was something special.

Schalke fans were chanting his name, and I thought, ‘Wow, this guy is going to be big.’”

Over the years, Neuer has become one of the most influential goalkeepers of all time, and Schmeichel acknowledges his impact.

“He revolutionized the position. He’s complete in every aspect, and I’ve always tried to learn from him.”

Looking Ahead

While Schmeichel may have missed his chance to wear the Bayern jersey, he has found a new home at Celtic.

Now, his focus is on helping his team pull off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history.

Will Schmeichel be the difference-maker when he faces Bayern on the biggest stage?

One thing is certain—he’s ready for the challenge.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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