During a recent interview, Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel didn't mince words when discussing former Liverpool star Sadio Mane. Despite helping Bayern secure the Bundesliga title, Mane's season took a downturn when he suffered a leg injury against Werder Bremen in November, which required surgery and a three-month absence from the pitch, causing him to miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Following his return, Mane struggled to regain his form, and his future with the German club was further thrown into doubt when he was suspended and fined in April due to an altercation with Leroy Sane. The incident reportedly involved Mane punching his teammate in the dressing room after a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final loss to Manchester City. Mane finished the season with only 12 goals across all competitions, his lowest tally since his time in Ligue 2 with Metz in the 2011/12 season.
In the interview, Tuchel was asked about Mane, and he didn't hold back in his assessment. He stated that Mane had an unsatisfactory season and fell short of expectations. Tuchel pointed out the fierce competition Mane faces from players like Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, making it challenging for him to shine. Tuchel emphasized that Mane is aware of his opinion and the club's stance on the matter.
However, Tuchel also mentioned that the door is not closed for Mane or any of the other forward players. He acknowledged that unexpected things can happen in football and that the situation is not easy for Mane due to the competitive nature of the team. Tuchel expressed that time will provide more clarity on the matter.
Mane's future at Bayern may be influenced by the club's pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. Bayern's honorary President, Uli Hoeness, recently claimed that Kane is prepared to move to Germany, and the transfer will be finalized if Kane remains true to his word. Reports in the German media have suggested that Bayern may be willing to sell Mane to raise funds for securing Kane's signature.
