It is a real race against time that Sadio Mané will certainly deliver during the second part of the season in the Bundesliga. Especially since his first was not very impressive from many aspects. The arrival of Thomas Tuchel on the bench may well allow the African Champion to finally take off in Bavaria.
He had arrived like a rock star in Bavaria. The arrival of Sadio Mané at Bayern Munich was relayed in all languages and on worldwide television. Sadio had just turned an English page that had opened in 2014 with Southampton before closing with Liverpool in 2022. Change of scenery, soccer and environment then for the African Champion bought at 32 million euros.
No apprehensions, the Senegalese international had not hesitated a minute when his phone rang. At the end of the line, the sporting director of Bayern, Hasan Salihamidzic. "I am really happy to finally be at FC Bayern Munich. We talked a lot and I felt a great interest from this great club from the beginning, so for me there was no doubt. This is the right time to take on this challenge. I want to achieve a lot with this club, also in Europe," he said in his first reaction on June 22, 2022.
Bayern is not only able to offer him an attractive sports project or to make him the ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who left for Barcelona at the same time. The Bavarians have broken the bank to offer Sadio Mané the best salary of the club with a monthly income of 2 million euros. But Sadio will know a difficult first part of the season. Between positioning on the field and injury, the Lion has not yet really brought an added value in the prestigious workforce of Bayern.
A long injury that spoiled everything
Before his injury on the eve of the World Cup, Sadio Mané had already finished playing 28 games in all competitions for 11 goals and five assists. However, since the beginning of the year 2023, he struggles to connect. What worries in Germany. Against Bayer Leverkusen before the international break at the end of March, Julian Nagelsmann has for example taken him out at the break. The player visibly lacked rhythm. Since his return to competition, his counter has not moved. It remains blocked at its 11 goals in all competitions.
Since the beginning of 2023, however, he struggles to connect. This is a cause for concern in Germany. Against Bayer Leverkusen before the international break at the end of March, Julian Nagelsmann has for example taken him out at the break. The player visibly lacked rhythm. Since his return to competition, his counter has not moved. It remains blocked at its 11 goals in all competitions.
The arrival of Tuchel can change everything
Sacked during the international break, Julian Nagelsmann had ended up being carried away by his coolness in his game. Worse, Bild even wrote that 7 players, including Sadio Mané, were against the way the technician was managing the matches. The media went further and wrote that the Senegalese number 10 was the reason for the sacking of Julian Nagelsmann. "If Oliver Kahn, chairman of the board, pointed to poor play and results as the reason for his dismissal, these would not be the only reasons. In recent weeks, the 35-year-old coach would have alienated part of the Munich dressing room, including Sadio Mané. And a quarrel with the Senegalese striker, who arrived last summer, would have precipitated his departure," we read.
His successor Thomas Tuchel would like to return to "Cesar what belongs to Cesar". In simple language, Tuchel has decided to position the African Golden Ball in the position he loves: the left wing.
