Neuer named Germany's player of the year
Sunday, August 10, 2014
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"We won the World Cup this year, so this award has added meaning," said FC Bayern München and Germany No1 Manuel Neuer, after being voted his country's player of the year.
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FC Bayern München goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been honoured as Germany's footballer of the year for the second time in his career.
The 28-year-old wins the award after helping his club side clinch a league and cup double last term, before wearing the gloves for Germany in their 2014 FIFA World Cup triumph. Previously singled out in 2010/11, Neuer received 144 of the 701 votes cast by German journalists in a poll organised by magazine Kicker. Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus came in second, ahead of Bayern's Thomas Müller.
"This award is an honour for me," said Neuer. "I am also really surprised. I didn't expect it, although obviously I know that I've put in good performances. We won the World Cup this year, so this award has added meaning."
Germany's Joachim Löw was named coach of the year, finishing comfortably ahead of FC Augsburg's Markus Weinzierl and Bayern's Josep Guardiola. "For me, this is a very big honour and a very special moment in my long career as football coach," explained Löw. "The World Cup title was a team effort. I take this award only as a representative for everyone."
VfL Wolfsburg forward Alexandra Popp won the best women's player prize, edging out club colleagues Martina Müller, Nadine Kessler and Lena Goessling.