Neuer: I´m no Judas

Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes he has done nothing wrong in revealing he will not be renewing his contract with the club.

Neuer has made it clear he will not extend his contract with Schalke when it expires in June 2012, fuelling speculation of a move to with fellow Bundesliga club Bayern Munich or English giants Manchester United.

But the 25-year-old disagreed with Schalke fans who believe he has let the club down.

“I have betrayed no-one. All I have done is tell Schalke that I will not be renewing my contract in 2012. I have not lied or broken a promise,” he said.

“I would never do that because I love Schalke. I have always given everything for this club. This club is a piece of home for me and will remain so for sure.”

“I know there are some that have now chosen to label me as a Judas, others accept my decision and respect it at least.”

Neuer was born in Gelsekirchen and has played all hisfootball with Schalke after coming up through the club’s academy.

He is now hoping to go out with a German Cup winners’ medal as Schalke clash with 2.Bundesliga outfit Duisburg in the final on Saturday.

“We are of course favourites and we want to be celebrating at the end of the game,” he said.

“It would be my first title as a professional with Schalke and something I would never forget for the rest of my life. Our goal is that we win the cup for us and the fans.”

Schalke narrowly avoided relegation with a 14th-placed finish in the league, but progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals before losing to Manchester United.